Golf clubs and golf club heads

ABSTRACT

Golf clubs according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include a golf club head and a shaft configured to engage with the golf club head which includes a grip engaged with the shaft. Further, the golf club may include a monitoring device, which includes a sensor and a transmitter. Additionally, the monitoring device may be configured to determine data related to the characteristics of a golf swing. Further, the monitoring device may be configured to transmit the data related to the characteristics of a golf swing to a remote computer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application No.61/653,771 filed on May 31, 2012, and this application is also acontinuation-in-part-application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/250,051 filed Sep. 30, 2011 which, in turn, claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/480,322, filed Apr. 28, 2011.The disclosures of the above noted applications are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to golf clubs and golf club heads.Particular example aspects of this disclosure relate to the golf clubsand golf club heads which may include monitoring devices for monitoringaspects of a golfer's swing or overall golf game.

BACKGROUND

Golf is enjoyed by a wide variety of players—players of differentgenders and dramatically different ages and/or skill levels. Golf issomewhat unique in the sporting world in that such diverse collectionsof players can play together in golf events, even in direct competitionwith one another (e.g., using handicapped scoring, different tee boxes,in team formats, etc.), and still enjoy the golf outing or competition.These factors, together with the increased availability of golfprogramming on television (e.g., golf tournaments, golf news, golfhistory, and/or other golf programming) and the rise of well known golfsuperstars, at least in part, have increased golf's popularity in recentyears, both in the United States and across the world.

Golfers at all skill levels seek to improve their performance, lowertheir golf scores, and reach that next performance “level.”Manufacturers of all types of golf equipment have responded to thesedemands, and in recent years, the industry has witnessed dramaticchanges and improvements in golf equipment. For example, a wide range ofdifferent golf ball models now are available, with balls designed tocomplement specific swing speeds and/or other player characteristics orpreferences, e.g., with some balls designed to fly farther and/orstraighter; some designed to provide higher or flatter trajectories;some designed to provide more spin, control, and/or feel (particularlyaround the greens); some designed for faster or slower swing speeds;etc. A host of swing and/or teaching aids also are available on themarket that promise to help lower one's golf scores.

Being the sole instrument that sets a golf ball in motion during play,golf clubs also have been the subject of much technological research andadvancement in recent years. For example, the market has seen dramaticchanges and improvements in putter designs, golf club head designs,shafts, and grips in recent years. Additionally, other technologicaladvancements have been made in an effort to better match the variouselements and/or characteristics of the golf club and characteristics ofa golf ball to a particular user's swing features or characteristics(e.g., club fitting technology, ball launch angle measurementtechnology, ball spin rates, etc.). Further technological advancement ingolf club design has also involved the incorporation of various types ofmonitoring devices or sensors in the golf club. Many such designs,however, have been cumbersome and unreliable. In addition, furtherprocessing of the data recorded by the sensors has been limited or notperformed in a suitable manner to be most useful to golfers.

While the industry has witnessed dramatic changes and improvements togolf equipment in recent years, there is room in the art for furtheradvances in golf club technology. Thus, while golf equipment accordingto the prior art provide a number of advantageous features, theynevertheless have certain limitations. The present invention seeks toovercome certain of these limitations and other drawbacks of the priorart, and to provide new features not heretofore available.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The following presents a general summary of aspects of the disclosure inorder to provide a basic understanding of the disclosure and variousaspects of it. This summary is not intended to limit the scope of thedisclosure in any way, but it simply provides a general overview andcontext for the more detailed description that follows.

It would be advantageous to have the ability to monitor and analyzeaspects of a golfer's golf game, such as a golfer's golf swing. Forexample, it would be beneficial to be able to monitor and analyze golfswings a golfer takes during practice (such as in a teaching facility oron a driving range) or golf swings a golfer takes while actually playinga round of golf on a golf course. Therefore, particular aspects of thedisclosure are directed to a golf club which includes a monitoringdevice.

According to aspects of the disclosure, golf clubs may include a golfclub head and a shaft configured to engage with the golf club head whichincludes a grip engaged with the shaft. The golf club may include amonitoring device, which may include a sensor and a transmitter.Additionally, the monitoring device may be configured to determine datarelated to the characteristics of a golf swing. Further, the monitoringdevice may be configured to transmit the data related to thecharacteristics of a golf swing to a remote computer.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the monitoring device mayinclude one or more sensors for monitoring data related to aspects of agolfer's golf game (such as the golfer's golf swing) and atransmitter/transceiver configured to transmit such data. According toaspects of the disclosure, the transmitted data may be analyzed (as willbe described in below) and used to aid a golfer in improving thegolfer's abilities (e.g., the golfer's golf swing). It is noted thataccording to particular example aspects of the disclosure, other data(e.g., particular club data, on-course data (such as particular golfswings and the approximate location where the swings were taken on agolf course) may be monitored, transmitted and coordinated with the dataregarding the aspects of a golfer's golf game (such as the golfer's golfswing) and analyzed as well. Further aspects of the disclosure mayinclude sensing impact location on the golf club face upon a golferimpacting a golf ball during a golf swing. Communication of sensed datamay be transmitted, wirelessly or via other means, to a remote locationfor further processing and display to the golfer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limitedin the accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals indicatesimilar elements throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative embodiment of a wood-type golf club structureaccording to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged bottom view of the wood-type golf club head shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the wood-type golf club head shown in FIG.2 and showing a monitoring device;

FIG. 4 is a cartridge according to an illustrative embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a monitoring device according to anillustrative embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a monitoring device according to anillustrative embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5C is an exploded view of the monitoring device shown in FIGS. 5Aand 5B;

FIG. 5D is an illustrative embodiment of another wood-type golf clubstructure supporting a monitoring device according to aspects of thedisclosure;

FIG. 5E is an exploded view of the wood-type golf club head shown inFIG. 5D;

FIG. 5F is an illustrative embodiment of another wood-type golf clubstructure supporting a monitoring device according to aspects of thedisclosure;

FIG. 5G is an illustrative embodiment of another wood-type golf clubstructure supporting a monitoring device according to aspects of thedisclosure;

FIG. 5H illustrates an instrumented golf club that includes a magneticfield sensor, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5I illustrates how velocity, time and orientation measurements maybe used to determine the swing path of a golf club, in accordance withan embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5J illustrates an instrumented golf club that includes a gyroscopemodule, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5K illustrates a method of determining the face angle of a golfclub with the use of a gyroscope, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a remote computer system according to anillustrative embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate wireless communication between the monitoringdevice and the remote computer system according to an illustrativeembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a golf clubaccording to an illustrative embodiment of the disclosure, including anexploded view of a grip portion of the golf club having a cartridgesupporting a monitoring device;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a golf clubaccording to an illustrative embodiment of the disclosure, including anexploded view of a grip portion of the golf club configured to receive amonitoring device;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a golf clubaccording to an illustrative embodiment of the disclosure, including anexploded view of a grip portion of the golf club having a monitoringdevice;

FIG. 9A is an illustrative user interface according to an embodiment ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 10 is an illustrative embodiment of an iron-type golf clubstructure according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the iron-type golf club head shown in FIG. 10wherein a cartridge is removed from the iron-type golf club head;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view along line 12-12 of the iron-type golfclub head shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the iron-type golf club head shown inFIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the iron-type golf club head shown in FIG. 10wherein the cartridge is inserted the iron-type golf club head;

FIG. 14A is an illustrative embodiment of another iron-type golf clubstructure supporting a monitoring device according to aspects of thedisclosure;

FIG. 15A is an illustrative embodiment of an putter golf club headstructure supporting a monitoring device according to aspects of thedisclosure;

FIG. 15B is an exploded view of the putter golf club head shown in FIG.15A;

FIG. 16A is an exploded view of an illustrative embodiment of an puttergolf club head structure having a monitoring device according to aspectsof the disclosure;

FIG. 16B is an exploded view of the putter golf club head shown in FIG.16A wherein the weight is attached the golf club head;

FIG. 16C is an exploded view of an illustrative embodiment of anotherputter golf club head structure supporting a monitoring device accordingto aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 16D is a view of an illustrative embodiment of another putter golfclub head structure according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIGS. 16E-G are views of an illustrative embodiment of another golf clubhead structure supporting a monitoring device according to aspects ofthe disclosure, which embodiment is similar to the embodiment of FIG.16C;

FIGS. 17A and 17B are an illustrative embodiment of the interior of anembodiment of a monitoring device according to aspects of thedisclosure;

FIGS. 18A-D are illustrative embodiments of circuitry of a monitoringdevice according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIGS. 19A-B are graphs illustrating the magnitude of acceleration andangular velocities for a typical putt;

FIGS. 19C-D are graphs illustrating the magnitude of acceleration andangular velocities for a typical golf swing associated with a driver;

FIG. 20 is an illustrative monitoring device with openings according toaspects of the disclosure;

FIGS. 21A-B are illustrative removable sections of a golf club accordingto aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 22 illustrates golf clubs with have an identical distance betweentheir respective centers of mass and monitoring devices according toaspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 23A shows illustrative removable sections of a golf club accordingto aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 23B shows the illustrative removable sections of 23A in combinationwith their respective golf clubs according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 24 is illustrates a monitoring device configured to be engaged withvarious different pieces of sports equipment according to aspects of thedisclosure;

FIGS. 25A-C show illustrative removable sections of pieces of sportsequipment according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 26 is an illustrative monitoring device with openings according toaspects of the disclosure configured to be engaged with the removablesections of FIGS. 25A-C; and

FIGS. 27A-B illustrate swing path profiles of a golf swing and the swingof a baseball bar, respectively.

The reader is advised that the various parts shown in these drawings arenot necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description and the accompanying figures disclose featuresof golf club heads and golf clubs in accordance with examples of thepresent disclosure.

I. General Description of Example Golf Club Heads, Golf Clubs, andMethods in Accordance with this Disclosure

Aspects of this disclosure relate to golf club heads and golf clubs.Golf club heads according to at least some example aspects of thisdisclosure may include: (a) a golf club head body; and (b) a removablesection or member which may include a monitoring device. Golf club headsaccording to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may alsoinclude: (c) one or more sensors and (d) a transmitter for transmittingdata obtained by the one or more sensors. For example, the one or moresensors and the transmitter may be included in the monitoring device.According to some aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head may beconfigured to receive the removable section. Further, according to someaspects of the disclosure the golf club head may be configured toreceive the monitoring device directly, without a removable section.Further, golf club heads of at least some example aspects of thisdisclosure may include wood-type golf club heads, iron-type golf clubheads and putter type golf club heads.

Aspects of this disclosure also relate to golf club shafts and golf clubgrips. Golf club shafts according to at least some example aspects ofthis disclosure may include: (a) a grip portion; and (b) a removablesection which may include a monitoring device. The monitoring deviceaccording to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may alsoinclude: (c) one or more sensors and (d) a transmitter for transmittingdata obtained by the one or more sensors. According to some aspects ofthe disclosure, the grip portion or other portion of the shaft may beconfigured to receive the removable section. Further, according to someaspects of the disclosure the golf club shaft (e.g., the grip portion)may be configured to receive the monitoring device directly, without aremovable section. Golf club shafts of at least some example aspects ofthis disclosure may include metal shafts, carbon fiber shafts, etc. andbe directed to wood-type golf clubs, iron-type golf clubs and puttertype golf clubs.

Additional aspects of this disclosure relate to golf club structuresthat include golf club heads or golf club shafts, e.g., of the typesdescribed above. Such golf club structures further may include one ormore of: a shaft attached to the golf club head (optionally via a shaftengaging member (e.g., a hosel) or directly inserted otherwise engagedwith the shaft); a grip or handle attached to the shaft; etc.

Still additional aspects of this disclosure relate to methods forproducing golf club heads and golf club structures in accordance withexamples of this disclosure. Such methods may include, for example, oneor more of the following steps in any desired order and/or combinations:(a) providing a golf club head of the various types described above(including any or all of the various structures, features, and/orarrangements described above), e.g., by manufacturing or otherwiseconstructing the golf club head body, by obtaining it from a third partysource, etc.; (b) engaging a shaft of the various types described above(including any or all of the various structures, features, and/orarrangements described above) with the golf club head; and (c) engaginga grip of the various types described above (including any or all of thevarious structures, features, and/or arrangements described above) withthe shaft.

Given the general description of various example aspects of thedisclosure provided above, more detailed descriptions of variousspecific examples of golf clubs and golf club head structures accordingto the disclosure are provided below.

II. Detailed Description of Example Golf Club Heads, Golf ClubStructures, and Methods According to the Disclosure

As discussed above, it would be advantageous to have the ability tomonitor and analyze aspects of a golfer's golf game, such as a golfer'sgolf swing. Therefore, particular aspects of the disclosure are directedto a golf club which includes a monitoring device. According to aspectsof the disclosure, the monitoring device may include one or more sensorsfor monitoring data related to aspects of a golfer's golf game (such asthe golfer's golf swing) and a transmitter configured to transmit suchdata. It is further understood that the data may be further processed ifnecessary or desired. According to aspects of the disclosure, thetransmitted data may be analyzed (as will be described in below) andused to aid a golfer in improving the golfer's abilities (e.g., thegolfer's golf swing). It is noted that in according to particularexample aspects of the disclosure, other data (e.g., particular clubdata, on the course data (such as particular golf swings and theapproximate location where the swings were taken on a golf course) maybe monitored, transmitted and analyzed as well.

Further, it would also be beneficial to configure the golf club suchthat the monitoring device is able to be removable from the golf club.For example, if a golfer wanted to use the monitoring device duringpractice (e.g., on a driving range) and did not want to use it duringplay on a golf course, it would be beneficial to have a golf clubconfigured to allow the monitoring device to be easily engageable with,and removable from, the golf club in order to allow the golfer toselectively configure the golf club to their particular preference at agiven time. If the golfer did not wish to use the monitoring deviceduring an actual round of golf, the cartridge with monitoring devicecould be removed from the club and replaced with a replacement memberwithout a monitoring device wherein the monitoring device hadcharacteristics such as weighting and aerodynamic features so as to notchange the overall characteristics of the golf club from when themonitoring device was installed on the golf club.

Therefore, aspects of the disclosure are directed to a golf club whichis configured to receive and secure the monitoring device, and is alsoconfigured to release the monitoring device. For example, aspects of thedisclosure relate to a golf club which includes a golf club head whichis configured to receive and secure the monitoring device in the golfclub head. Further, example embodiments of the disclosure relate to golfclub heads configured to receive and secure a removable section or acartridge (e.g., a cartridge containing the monitoring device). Otheraspects of the disclosure relate to a golf club which includes a golfclub shaft which is configured to receive and secure the monitoringdevice in the golf club shaft. For example, the grip of the golf clubshaft may be configured to receive and secure the monitoring device inthe grip of the golf club shaft. Further, example embodiments of thedisclosure relate to a golf club shaft configured to receive and securea removable section or a cartridge (e.g., a cartridge containing themonitoring device).

The following discussion and accompanying figures describe variousexample golf clubs and golf club head structures in accordance with thepresent disclosure. When the same reference number appears in more thanone drawing, that reference number is used consistently in thisspecification and the drawings to refer to the same or similar partsthroughout.

More specific examples and features of golf club heads and golf clubstructures according to this disclosure will be described in detailbelow in conjunction with the example golf club structures illustratedin FIGS. 1-18.

FIG. 1 generally illustrates an example of a wood-type golf club 100according to aspects of the disclosure. As seen in FIG. 1, the wood-typegolf club may include a wood-type golf club head 101 in accordance withthe present disclosure.

In addition to the golf club head 101, the overall golf club structure100 may include a shaft 103 and a grip or handle 105 attached to theshaft 103. The shaft 103 may be received in, engaged with, and/orattached to the golf club head 101 in any suitable or desired manner,including in conventional manners known and used in the art, withoutdeparting from the disclosure. As more specific examples, the shaft 103may be engaged with the golf club head 101 through a shaft-receivingsleeve or element extending into the club head 101 (e.g., a hosel),and/or directly to the club head structure 101, e.g., via adhesives,cements, welding, soldering, mechanical connectors (such as threads,retaining elements, or the like). If desired, the shaft 103 may beconnected to the golf club head 101 in a releasable manner usingmechanical connectors to allow easy interchange of one shaft for anotheron the head. The shaft 103 may be made from any suitable or desiredmaterials, including conventional materials known and used in the art,such as graphite based materials, composite or other non-metalmaterials, steel materials (including stainless steel), aluminummaterials, other metal alloy materials, polymeric materials,combinations of various materials, and the like.

The grip or handle 105 may be attached to, engaged with, and/or extendfrom the shaft 103 in any suitable or desired manner, including inconventional manners known and used in the art, e.g., using adhesives orcements, etc. As another example, if desired, the grip or handle 105 maybe integrally formed as a unitary, one-piece construction with the shaft103. Additionally, any desired grip or handle materials may be usedwithout departing from this disclosure, including, for example: rubbermaterials, leather materials, rubber or other materials including cordor other fabric material embedded therein, polymeric materials, and thelike.

Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club 100 mayinclude a hosel. According to aspects of the disclosure, the shaft 103may be received in and/or inserted into and/or through the hosel. Ifdesired, the hosel may be configured such that the shaft 103 may beengaged with the hosel in a releasable manner using mechanicalconnectors to allow easy interchange of one shaft for another on thehead. For example, threads, locking mechanisms, etc. may be incorporatedinto the hosel and the end of the shaft 103 that is to be engaged withthe hosel may be configured with a corresponding configuration. Also,the shaft 103 may be secured to the hosel via bonding with adhesives orcements, welding (e.g., laser welding), soldering, brazing, or otherfusing techniques, etc. Further, optionally, if desired, the hosel maybe eliminated and the shaft 103 may be directly attached to the golfclub head 101. For example, the shaft 103 may be directly engaged withthe golf club head 101 (e.g., by bonding with adhesives or cements,welding (e.g., laser welding), soldering, brazing, or other fusingtechniques, etc.).

According to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head 101 mayinclude a ball striking face (e.g., a ball striking face which includesa face plate) 107. The ball striking face 107 may be provided integrallywith the golf club head 101. Also, the ball striking face 107 mayinclude a separate element, such as a face plate, which is configured tobe engaged with the golf club head. For example, the golf club head mayinclude a structure, such as a recess, notch or other configuration forreceiving the face plate. The face plate may be engaged with the golfclub head in a variety of ways. For example, the face plate may beengaged with the golf club head by press fitting, bonding with adhesivesor cements, welding (e.g., laser welding), soldering, brazing, or otherfusing techniques, mechanical connectors, etc.

The ball striking face 107 may be comprised of one or more materials.The material(s) of the ball striking face should be relatively durableto withstand the repeated impacts with the golf ball. For example, theball striking face 107 may comprise a high strength steel. Further,other materials, such as titanium or other metals or alloys may be usedas well. Further, the ball striking face 107 may include one or morescore lines which extend generally horizontally across the ball strikingface 107.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head may include acrown 101 a, a sole 101 b, a toe 01 c, and a heel 101 d. Further, thegolf club head 101 may be constructed in any suitable or desired mannerand/or from any suitable or desired materials without departing fromthis disclosure, including from conventional materials and/or inconventional manners known and used in the art. In fact, it is notedthat wide varieties of overall club head constructions are possiblewithout departing from this disclosure. For example, if desired, some orall of the various individual parts of the club head body describedabove may be made from multiple pieces that are connected together(e.g., by adhesives or cements; by welding, soldering, brazing, or otherfusing techniques; by mechanical connectors; etc.). The various parts(e.g., crown, sole, face, etc.) may be made from any desired materialsand combinations of different materials, including materials that areconventionally known and used in the art, such as metal materials,including lightweight metal materials (e.g., titanium, titanium alloys,aluminum, aluminum alloys, magnesium, magnesium alloys, etc.), compositematerials, polymer materials, etc. The club head 101 and/or its variousparts may be made by forging, casting, molding, machining, and/or usingother techniques and processes, including techniques and processes thatare conventional and known in the art.

It is noted that a wide variety of overall club head constructions arepossible without departing from this disclosure. For example, it isnoted that the dimensions and/or other characteristics of the golf clubhead 101 according to examples of this disclosure may vary significantlywithout departing from the disclosure. For example, the above describedfeatures and configurations may be incorporated into any wood-type clubheads including, for example: wood-type hybrid clubs, fairway woods,drivers, etc.

The depicted golf club 100 is an illustrative embodiment of a golf clubwhich includes aspects of the disclosure. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, thegolf club head 101 may include a port 109 configured to receive asection, member or cartridge, 200. The cartridge 200 may be configuredto house the monitoring device 201. The monitoring device 201 may beconfigured to house at least one sensor 202 (FIG. 4) for determiningvarious aspects of a golf swing. Further, if desired, the monitoringdevice 201 may be configured to house a transmitter 203 (or atransceiver). Such features of the golf club 100 will be described indetail below.

As seen in FIG. 3, the cartridge 200 may be configured to engage withthe port 109 of the golf club head 100. For example, the cartridge 200may be sized to directly engage with interior walls of the port 109,such that the cartridge 200 is firmly secured within the golf club head101.

According to example embodiments of the disclosure, the cartridge 200may be configured such that when the cartridge 200 is engaged with theport 109, the cartridge 200 becomes an exterior surface of the golf clubhead 101. For example, the cartridge 200 may be configured with a firstportion (e.g., an exterior portion) 200 a which is shaped so as to notprotrude from the golf club head 101 and, instead, to fit seamlessly, orrelatively seamlessly, with the exterior of the golf club head 101, oncethe cartridge 200 is engaged with the golf club head 101. For example,the first portion 200 a of the golf club head 101 may form an exteriorportion of the rear of the golf club head 101. Further, the firstportion 200 a of the golf club head 101 may form an exterior portion ofcrown 101 a, sole 101 b, toe 101 c, heel 101 d, etc. of the golf clubhead 101 or some combination thereof (e.g., the exterior of a rearportion and a sole portion of the golf club head 101), and depending onthe location of the port 109. In such a configuration, wherein the firstportion 200 a, fits seamlessly, or relatively seamlessly, with theexterior of the golf club head 101, the aerodynamics of the golf clubhead 101 will be improved as compared with a golf club head wherein asensor or transmitter protrudes beyond the surface of the exterior ofthe golf club head 101.

Further, according to example aspects of the disclosure, the cartridge200 may include a second portion (e.g., an insert portion) 200 b whichis configured to be inserted into the interior of the port 109 of thegolf club head 101. The second portion 200 b may be configured to housea monitoring device 201 which, in turn, houses the at least one sensor202 and the transmitter 203. As seen in the depicted embodiment, themonitoring device 201 may be secured within the second portion 200 bsuch that the sensor 202 and the transmitter 203 are stationary withregard to the second portion 200 b. In such a configuration wherein thesensor 202 and the transmitter 203 are held stationary with the secondportion 200 b and the second portion 200 b is housed within the interiorof the golf club head 101, the sensor 202 and transmitter 203 arerelatively well protected (e.g., from the elements (water and otherenvironmental conditions) encountered during use and from potentialimpacts the golf club head incurs during use of the golf club 100 orduring typical storage or transport of the golf club 100 (e.g., in agolf bag).

According to aspects of the disclosure, the cartridge 200 may be madefrom any desired materials and combinations of different materials,including materials that are conventionally known and used in the art,such as metal materials, including lightweight metal materials (e.g.,titanium, titanium alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys, magnesium,magnesium alloys, etc.), composite materials, polymer materials, etc.For example, according to aspects of the disclosure, the first portion200 a of the cartridge 200 may be made from the same material from whichthe exterior of the golf club head 101 is made. In this way, when thecartridge 200 is engaged with the golf club head 101, the first portionof the cartridge 200 facilitates the appearance of the seamless, orrelatively seamless, fit described above between the first portion ofthe cartridge 200 with the exterior of the golf club head 101. Further,the second portion 200 b of the cartridge 200 may be a plastic orpolymer. The second portion 200 b may be configured to receive themonitoring device 201. Alternatively, if desired, the second portion 200b and the monitoring device 201 may be integral. Alternatively, ifdesired, the monitoring device 201 may be the second portion 200 b. Thesensor 201 and the transmitter 202 may be encased within the monitoringdevice 201 or the second portion 200 b. Further, if desired, shockabsorbers may be positioned in the monitoring device 201 or secondportion 200 b and configured to surround, or contact, the sensor 201 andthe transmitter 202.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the first portion 200 a may becurved to match the exterior portion of the portion of golf club head101 with which it is engaged. Further, the first portion 200 a may havea length of 1 inch, a width of ¾ inch and a thickness of 1/10 inch.According to aspects of the disclosure, the second portion 200 b may berectangular, or generally rectangular, extend from the center, or therelative center of the first portion 200 a and may have a length of 1inch, a width of ¾ inch and a height of ½ inch. Further, according toaspects of the disclosure, the cartridge 200 may have a relatively lightweight.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the cartridge 200 may includeone or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). For example, the first portion200 a may be configured to be translucent and the one or more LEDs maybe configured to emit light through the translucent first portion 200 a.It is noted that, if desired, one or more indicators may be positionedon the cartridge. For example, logos may be inscribed on the firstportion 200 a of the cartridge 200. Further, such logos may beilluminated by the LEDs in particular embodiments of the disclosure.

As seen in the exploded view of FIG. 3, in the depicted embodiment, theport 109 is positioned in the rear or the sole 101 b of the golf clubhead 101. However, the port 109 may be positioned in other areas of thegolf club head 101 as well (e.g., the crown 101 a). It is noted thataccording to aspects of the disclosure, the port 109 may be positionedwithin the golf club head 101 such that when the cartridge 200 isengaged with the golf club head, it less like to be contacted during useor transport. For example, the port 109 may be positioned near the rearof the golf club head wherein the cartridge 200 is less likely tocontact the ground during a golf swing or when the golf club head 101 isinverted during transport in a golf bag. Such a configuration, whereinthe cartridge is less likely to be contacted during the use ortransport, reduces the likelihood that the cartridge 200 may be impactedor inadvertently dislodged from its engaged position.

Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, the port 109 may beconfigured with any size and shape adequate to receive the cartridge200. For example, as seen in the depicted embodiment, the port 109 maybe relatively rectangular. Further, according to particular embodimentsof the disclosure, the port 109 may include a length of 1 inch, a widthof ¾ inch and a height of ½ inch. Of course, such dimensions are merelyexemplary and other sizes may be used as well. As long as the port 109is configured to receive and securely hold the cartridge 200, the shapeand size of the port 109 can be configured as desired.

It is noted that the port 109 may be configured with a recessed orlipped portion 109 a at its exterior that is configured to receive or,engage with, the first portion 200 a of the cartridge. In this way, theabove described seamless, or relatively seamless, fit between with theexterior of the golf club head 101 and the cartridge 200 may be achievedwhen the cartridge 200 is engaged with the golf club head 101.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the port 109 may be made fromany desired materials and combinations of different materials, includingthe materials described above with reference to the golf club head 101,such as metal materials, including lightweight metal materials (e.g.,titanium, titanium alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys, magnesium,magnesium alloys, etc.), composite materials, polymer materials, etc. Itis noted that port 109 may be configured separately and then engagedwith the golf club head 101 (e.g., by adhesives or cements; by welding,soldering, brazing, or other fusing techniques; by mechanicalconnectors; etc.) or, also, the port 109 may be integral with the golfclub head (e.g., made during the manufacture of the golf club head 101by forging, casting, molding, machining, and/or using other techniquesand processes, including techniques and processes that are conventionaland known in the art).

The cartridge 200 may be secured in the port 109 of the golf club head101 in a variety of ways. For example, as discussed above, according toaspects of the disclosure, the cartridge 200 may be removably engagedwith the golf club head 101. Therefore, mechanical fasteners may be usedto secure the cartridge 200 in the port 109. For example, exampleembodiments of the disclosure may include a cartridge 200 which isconfigured to be engaged with the golf club head 101 via press fitting,snap fit mechanisms (e.g., spring loaded protrusions and correspondingdetents), threaded fasteners, etc.

Further, one of the advantages of the golf club head 101 is that thecartridge 200 is easily removable from the golf club head 101.Therefore, according to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head101 may include a release mechanism for releasing the cartridge 200 fromis secured position within the port 109. For example, according aparticular embodiment of the disclosure, the port 109 and cartridge 200are engaged via a mechanism which includes a spring loaded feature. Thespring loaded feature of the release mechanism is configured such thatwhen the cartridge 200 is secured in the port 109, the first portion 200a of the cartridge 200 is seamlessly, or relatively seamlessly, engagedwith the exterior of the golf club head 101 as described above. In orderto disengage the cartridge 200 from the port 109, the user will pressthe cartridge 200 which will be depressed a short distance into the golfclub head 101. For example, the port 109 may include recessed portionalong its exterior opening which allows the cartridge 200 to bedepressed a short distance into the port 109. This movement of thecartridge 200 a short predetermined distance into the golf club head 101disengages the cartridge 200 from its secured position within the golfclub head 101. Subsequent to the user depressing the cartridge 200 thepredetermined, short distance into the golf club head 101, the userreleases the cartridge 200, and the spring loaded release mechanismejects the cartridge 200 to a short, predetermined distance such that atleast a portion of the cartridge 200 protrudes outside the golf clubhead 101 so that the user can easily grasp and remove the cartridge 200from the golf club head 101.

As discussed above, the golf club head 101 may include other engagementand release mechanisms. Further, it is noted that the cartridge 200 andthe port 109 may include guide features. For example, the port 109 mayinclude one or more grooves and the cartridge 200 may include one ormore protrusions which are configured to engage with and be guided bythe grooves of the port 109. In example embodiments of the disclosure,the port 109 may include a groove on two or four of the interior wallsof the port 109 and the second portion 200 b of the cartridge 200 mayinclude a corresponding number of protrusions.

As described above, aspects of the disclosure, are directed to a golfclub configured to allow the one or more sensors and transmitter to beeasily removable from the golf club head, so that the golfer can choosewhether or not the golfer wants to have the one or more sensors and thetransmitter engaged with the golf club head during golf swings. Forexample, as described above, a golfer may only want to use the one ormore sensors and transmitter during practice (e.g., on a driving rangeor in a practice round) and not want the one or more sensors andtransmitter engaged with the golf club head during play on a golf courseduring a round of golf.

Therefore, aspects of the disclosure relate to a weight cartridge 200′which is configured to be engaged with the port 109. The weightcartridge may be configured similarly to the cartridge 200 describedabove with the exception that the weight cartridge does not include amonitoring device 201 or a sensor 202 or a transmitter 203. Since theconfiguration of the weight cartridge is similar to the above describedcartridge 200, the structure of the weight cartridge will not be recitedhere again for the sake or brevity. Further, it is noted that the weightcartridge may be configured to engage with the port 109 in the samemanner as the corresponding cartridge 200. Hence, again, for the sake ofbrevity, the engaging and releasing structure of the weight cartridgeand the port 109 will not be elaborated on here.

According to aspects of the disclosure, when the golfer does not want tohave the monitoring device 201 housed within the golf club 100, thegolfer may disengage and remove the cartridge 200 from the port 109 ofthe golf club head 101 and engage and secure the weight cartridge withthe port 109 of the golf club head 101. By replacing the cartridge 200with the weight cartridge 200′, the golf club head 101 may retain thesame exterior shape of the golf club head 101. The golf club 100 willalso have the same weighting characteristics as the weight cartridge200′ is also weighted to correspond to the overall weight of thecartridge 200. Hence, the golf club 100 may be used just as it would befor any golf swing when the cartridge 200 is engaged with the golf clubhead 101 and the aerodynamics and weighting of the golf club head 101will not be altered.

It is noted that the term weight cartridge is used merely to distinguishthe weight cartridge from the cartridge 200 and does not necessarilyimply that the cartridge 200 must be weighted. For example, according toaspects of the disclosure, the weight cartridge may have the same massand weight as the cartridge 200. In such a configuration, the golfer'sgolf swing will not be affected regardless of which cartridge is engagedwith the golf club head 101. However, if desired, the weight cartridgemay include one or more weighted portions.

Therefore, based on the above disclosure, it is understood that aspectsof the disclosure are directed to a golf club which is configured toreceive interchangeable sections or cartridges, wherein one of theinterchangeable cartridges may house the one or more sensors and thetransmitter and a second of the interchangeable cartridges does nothouse a sensor or a transmitter. In this way, the golfer may selectivelyconfigure the golf club to include, or not include, the one or moresensors and the transmitter, at the golfer's discretion.

The monitoring device 201 may be configured to measure a multitude ofdifferent aspects of a golfer's golf game. For example, the monitoringdevice 201 may be configured to measure golf swing data. According toaspects of the disclosure, golf swing data may include information on avariety of different characteristics of a golf swing. Further, accordingto particular embodiments of the disclosure, the monitoring device 201may also be configured to identify the particular golf club in which thesensor is positioned. For example, an RFID tag may be used. Further,according to particular embodiments of the disclosure, the monitoringdevice 201 may also be configured to identify a location where aparticular golf swing was taken. For example, the monitoring device 201may include Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology. Suchinformation may be incorporated with maps of the golf course on whichthe golf shots were taken in order to provide a golfer with informationon each shot during a round of golf. Each of these features will bedescribed in further detail below.

FIG. 4 illustrates one example of a monitoring device 201 that may beemployed according to various examples of the disclosure to measurevarious aspects of a golfer's abilities and game. The monitoring device201 may include a processor 204 for processing the electrical signalsoutput by the sensors 202. With some implementations of the disclosure,the processor 204 may be a programmable microprocessor. For still otherimplementations of the invention, however, the processor 204 may be apurpose-specific circuit device, such as an ASIC. The processor 204 maybe configured to perform any desired operation on the signals outputfrom the sensors 202, such as curve smoothing, noise filtering, outlierremoval, amplification, summation, integration, or the like. Theprocessor 204 may be configured to provide the processed signals totransmitter 203 (or transceiver). Further, the monitoring device 201 maybe configured to transmit the processed signals to a remote computersystem 400 via the transmitter 203 (or transceiver), as will bediscussed below. In one exemplary embodiment, the processed data may betransmitted wirelessly. The monitoring device 201 may also include apower supply 206, for providing power to the sensors 202, the processor204, and the transmitter 203 (or transceiver) as needed. The powersupply 206 may be, for example, a battery. Further, as discussed below,embodiments of the monitoring device 201 may include a memory (e.g., aflash memory). The memory may include both a read-only memory (ROM) anda random access memory (RAM). As will be appreciated by those ofordinary skill in the art, both the read-only memory (ROM) and therandom access memory (RAM) may store software instructions for executionby the processor 204.

It is noted that while the depicted embodiment illustrates a processor204, according to other aspects of the disclosure, the monitoring device201 does not need to include a processor to process the data from thesensors 202. Instead, according to such aspects of the disclosure, the“raw” data from the sensors 202 may be transmitted, such as by wirelesstransmission, without being processed.

As discussed above, according to particular embodiments of thedisclosure, the monitoring device 201 may be configured to measure golfswing data. Examples of golf swing data may include, the velocity of thegolf club (or club head) during a golf swing, the acceleration of theclub (or club head) during a golf swing, the angle of the golf club (orclub head) during a golf swing (e.g., relative to one or more referencepoints), swing tempo, the impact of the ball with the golf club headduring a golf swing, aspects of the impact of the ball with the golfclub head during a golf swing (e.g., loft, etc.), etc. Further, thesensors may be configured to measure the position (e.g. a spatialposition with regard to a particular frame of reference) of the golfclub at various points in time in order to provide data on a golf swing.In this way, acceleration, velocity, positioning of the golf club may bedetermined and analyzed in 3 dimensions. Further, some or all of theabove data may be leveraged to create a graphical representation (e.g.,a picture or video) of the golf swing. For example, a swing path may begraphically represented in 3 dimensions along an X-Y-Z frame ofreference. Further, areas of the “3D golf swing” during whichacceleration is taking place may be represented differently than areasof constant velocity or deceleration. For example, high accelerationtakes place may be shown in red, while areas in the swing path duringwhich constant velocity or deceleration takes place may be shown inyellow.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the monitoring device 201 mayinclude one or more sensors 202. It is noted that the sensors 202 may beaccelerometers (such as piezoelectric accelerometers), magnetometers, orgyroscopes. Further, one skilled in the art will appreciate thatnumerous additional sensors may be used in connection with aspects ofthe disclosure (e.g., impact sensors, strain gauges, etc.). According toparticular embodiments of the disclosure, the sensors 202 may be similarto sensors used in the NIKE+™ athletic performance monitoring systemsavailable from NIKE, Inc. of Beaverton, Oreg. For example, the sensors202 may measure golf swing data in a manner akin to the measurement ofdata in NIKE+™ athletic performance monitoring systems (e.g., speedinformation, such as velocity and acceleration information, etc.).According to aspects of the disclosure, the sensors 202 will produceelectrical signals corresponding to the specific golfing characteristicit is monitoring. As known in the art, these signals can then be used togenerate data representative of the golfing activity performed by thegolfer.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a particular embodiment of a monitoringdevice 201 according to aspects of the disclosure. As seen in FIGS. 4Aand 4B, the monitoring device 201 may include a generally rectangularcompartment in which sensors 202 are housed. The compartment may besimilar to the compartment used to house sensors used in the NIKE+™athletic performance monitoring systems available from NIKE, Inc. ofBeaverton, Oreg. For example, according to aspects of the disclosure,the compartment may be rectangular with rounded ends and has a length inthe range of 1.0-1.5 inches, a width of 0.4-1.0 inches and thickness of0.2-0.45 inches. Other dimensions may be used as well. Further, themonitoring device 201 illustrated in FIGS. 5A-C may include threeaccelerometers, three gyroscopes and a magnetometer. Additionally, themonitoring device 201 illustrated in FIGS. 5A-C may include atransmitter 203 (or transceiver) for wirelessly transmitting datadetermined by the three accelerometers, three gyroscopes and amagnetometer.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the compartment of themonitoring device 201 may be made of plastic. It is noted that othermaterials may be used as well. The compartment of the monitoring device201 may be opened to provide access to the sensors 202 and the othercomponents housed inside the monitoring device 201. For example, as seenin FIGS. 4A and 4B, the compartment of the monitoring device 201 mayinclude a cover which is configured to slide to provider access tovarious components of the monitoring device, such as the battery 206.Further, the compartment of the monitoring device 201 may house acircuit board or the like which may include various elements describedabove, such as the processor 204, sensors 202, transmitter 203, powersupply 206, memory, etc.

FIGS. 5A-C illustrate a particular embodiment of the monitoring device201. Specifically, FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the monitoringdevice 201. FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the bottom of themonitoring device 201. FIG. 5C is an exploded view of the monitoringdevice 201. As seen in FIGS. 5A-C, in the depicted embodiment, themonitoring device 201 includes a generally rectangular compartment inwhich sensors 202 are housed. The compartment may be similar to thecompartment used to house sensors used in the NIKE+™ athleticperformance monitoring systems available from NIKE, Inc. of Beaverton,Oreg. Further, the monitoring device 201 illustrated in FIGS. 5A-C mayinclude three accelerometers, three gyroscopes and a magnetometer.Additionally, the monitoring device 201 illustrated in FIGS. 5A-C mayinclude a transmitter 203 (or transceiver) for wirelessly transmittingdata determined by the three accelerometers, three gyroscopes and amagnetometer.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the compartment of themonitoring device 201 may be made of plastic. It is noted that othermaterials may be used as well. As seen in FIG. 5C, the compartment ofthe monitoring device 201 may be opened to provide access to the sensors202 and the other components housed inside the monitoring device 201.For example, as seen in FIG. 5B, the compartment of the monitoringdevice 201 may include a locking mechanism which allows the compartmentto be unlocked and opened. As seen in FIG. 5C, the compartment of themonitoring device 201 may house a circuit board or the like which mayinclude various elements described above, such as the processor 204,sensors 202, transmitter 203, power supply 206, memory, etc.

According to the aspects of the disclosure, the monitoring device 201may be configured to engage with the golf club head 101 in a variety ofways. FIGS. 5D-5G show various illustrative embodiments in which themonitoring device 201 is engage with the golf club head 101. Forexample, FIG. 5D illustrates an embodiment according to the disclosure,wherein the monitoring device 201 and a removable section 200 areengaged with the golf club head 101. FIG. 5E is an exploded view of theembodiment shown in FIG. 5E. As seen in FIGS. 5D and E, the removablesection 200 is engaged with the golf club head via a threaded fastener.However, the removable section 200 may be configured to be engaged withthe golf club head 101 via other methods as well, such as press fitting,snap fit mechanisms (e.g., spring loaded protrusions and correspondingdetents), etc. As seen, the removable section 200 may include an openingconfigured to surround the monitoring device 201 and through which themonitoring device is visible. The removable section 200 may beconfigured to provide support and stability to the monitoring device201.

Further, as seen in FIGS. 5D and 5E, the monitoring device 201 isengaged with the golf club head 101. The engagement of the monitoringdevice 201 with the golf club head 101 can be done in a variety of ways,e.g., mechanical fasteners, press fitting, snap fit mechanisms (e.g.,spring loaded protrusions and corresponding detents), threadedfasteners, etc. As seen in FIG. 5E, the golf club head 101 may include arecess configured to receive the monitoring device 201. For example, therecess may be configured to surround and engage the monitoring device201 in order to support and stabilize the monitoring device 201.Further, it is noted that the golf club head 101 may include a structureconfigured to receive the removable section 200. The golf club head 101,the removable section 200 and the monitoring device 201 may beconfigured so as not to affect the aerodynamics of the golf club head101 during a golf swing. For example, the golf club head 101, theremovable section 200 and the monitoring device 201 may be configuredsuch that when engaged, the golf club head 101 resembles the sole of thetraditional wood-type golf club head with a relatively seamless surface.

FIG. 5F illustrates another illustrative embodiment of a golf club head150 according to aspects of the disclosure. As seen in FIG. 5F, the golfclub head 150 includes a U or V-shaped sole structure between the soleof the golf club head 150 is configured to receive the monitoring device201. For example, the portion of the of the sole of the golf club head101 between the legs of the U or V-shaped sole structure may include arecess configured to receive the monitoring device 201. The engagementof the monitoring device 201 with the golf club head 150 can be done ina variety of ways, such as in the above described embodiments.

FIG. 5G illustrates another illustrative embodiment of a golf club head175 according to aspects of the disclosure. As seen in FIG. 5G, the golfclub head 175 includes a recess in the rear of the golf club head 175.The recess may be configured to receive the monitoring device 201. Forexample, the portion of the rear of the golf club head 101 may include asmaller recess configured to receive the monitoring device 201. Theengagement of the monitoring device 201 with the golf club head 175 canbe done in a variety of ways, such as in the above describedembodiments.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the monitoring device 201 mayinclude an activation system. The activation system may be used forselectively activating the monitoring device 201 and/or at least somefunctions of the monitoring device 201 (e.g., datatransmission/reception functions, data storage functions, datacalculation functions, etc.). A wide variety of different activationsystems may be used without departing from this disclosure.

For example, input from the activation system may be provided in anydesired form or format without departing from the disclosure. As somemore specific examples, if desired, the activation system may include asimple button, switch, or other input source that simply provides anactivation or deactivation signal to the monitoring device 201 (e.g., alogical “1” or “0”). If desired, in at least some examples according tothis disclosure, the activation system may activate the monitoringdevice 201, based on input it receives from the remote computer 400(described below). For example a golfer may manually activate themonitoring device 201 by providing input (e.g., pressing a button) onthe remote computer 400. Alternatively, the activation system mayactivate the monitoring device 201 automatically upon a certain actionbeing performed. For example, when a golfer moves the club in which themonitoring device 201 is inserted, the activation system may induce themonitoring device 201 or its functions to operate. For example, if themonitoring device 201 includes an accelerometer and the golfer wagglesthe club (e.g., moves the club) over a predefined speed or length oftime, the activation system may automatically activate the monitoringdevice 201 and/or at least some functions of the monitoring device 201(e.g., data transmission/reception functions, data storage functions,data calculation functions, etc.). Further, the activation system mayactivate the monitoring device 201 when the golf club expands on impact(e.g., an impact with a golf ball). Further, it is noted that amonitoring device 201 may be configured to enter a sleep mode toconserve battery power if the monitoring device 201 is not used for apredetermined amount of time.

As discussed above, according to aspects of the disclosure, one of thesensors 202 may be an accelerometer. An accelerometer is a device usedto measure acceleration. For example, an accelerometer may measure themagnitude and the direction of acceleration. An accelerometer accordingto aspects of the disclosure may include a three-axis accelerometer formeasuring acceleration along three orthogonal axes. According to aspectsof the disclosure, one or more accelerometers may be included in thegolf club 100. For example, one or more accelerometers may be includedin the monitoring device 201 or other a micro-electromechanical system(MEMS) configured to be engaged within the golf club head body 101 orshaft 103/grip 105.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the accelerometer may beconfigured to measure the velocity of the golf club 100 (e.g., club head101, shaft 103, grip 105) during a golf swing, the acceleration of theclub 100 (e.g., club head 101, shaft 103, grip 105) during a golf swing,etc.

According to aspects of the disclosure, one of the sensors 202 may be amagnetometer. A magnetometer is an instrument used to measure thestrength and or the direction of a magnetic field around the instrument.According to aspects of the disclosure, one or more magnetometers may beincluded in the golf club 100. For example, one or more magnetometersmay be included in the monitoring device 201 or other MEMS configured tobe engaged within the golf club head body 101 or shaft 103/grip 105.

According to aspects of the disclosure, one or more magnetometers mayalso be used to determine golf swing parameters. As shown in FIG. 5H,the earth's magnetic field represented by vector 302 is relativelyconstant in the vicinity of a golfer. A magnetometer 304 resolvesmagnetic field vector 302 into three component vectors 306, 308 and 310.Magnetometer 304 may be implemented with an anisotropic magnetoresistive(AMR) device, a giant magnetoresistor (GMR) device or other suitabledevices. As golf club head 101 moves, the magnetic field vector 302 isresolved into component vectors 306, 308 and 310 such that therespective components have different magnitudes. According to aspects ofthe disclosure, the changing magnitudes of the component vectors maythen be used to determine golf swing parameters.

For example, a club head face angle may be determined by first taking areference measurement of the magnetic field before the back swing andthen taking another measurement of the magnetic field just prior toimpact. For example, the magnitude of component vectors 306, 308 and 310will have first values before the back swing and second values justprior to impact. The different component vector values can then be usedto determine the face angle. If the magnetic field in the x-y plane isassumed to be 0.3 Gauss, the component X of the field with respect tocomponent vector 308 (x axis) is determined by X=0.3 cos θ and thecomponent Y of the field with respect to component vector 310 (y axis)is determined by Y=0.3 sin θ.

A 1 degree difference would cause a change in the magnitudes of vectorcomponents 308 and 310 as follows:ΔX=0.3(cos θ−cos(θ+1))ΔY=0.3(sin θ−sin(θ+1))

The smallest change that needs to be detected along each vectorcomponent may be determined by taking the derivative of each componentand determining were the derivative crosses the 0 axis.dX/dθ=−0.3 sin θ=0 at θ=0 degreesdY/dθ=0.3 cos θ=0 at θ=90 degrees

The highest resolution in the x-component is needed when the anglerotates from 0 to 1 degree and corresponds to 45.7 μG. The sameresolution is needed when the y-component rotates from 89 to 90 degrees.

Other golf swing parameters may be determined by magnetometers. Forexample, according to aspects of the disclosure, swing tempo may bedetermined by using vector component 306 (z axis) as a tilt sensor. Areference measurement of vector component 306 may be recorded before theback swing. The period required for the club head to return to aposition such that the vector component 306 returns to the measuredreference value corresponds to the swing tempo. In an alternativeembodiment, velocity information may also be just to determine impacttime and the resulting swing tempo.

Further, several different measurements may be used to determine theswing path. For example, FIG. 5I shows a diagram of how velocity, timeand orientation measurements may be used to determine the swing path.For example, velocity and time information measurements may be used todetermine a first locus of points 310. Next, an orientation measurementmay then be used to determine a first location 312 along first locus ofpoints 310. The process of identifying club locations may be repeatedseveral times to determine a swing path 314. In one embodiment,measurements are taken at least 1 kHz during a swing. Swing path 314 maybe determined relative to a reference orientation and impact location.

According to aspects of the disclosure, one of the sensors 202 may be agyroscope. A gyroscope is a device used to measure orientation androtation. For example, a gyroscope may measure orientation based on theprinciples of the conservation of angular momentum. Further, accordingto aspects of the disclosure, a three-axis gyroscope may be used toincrease accuracy. When combined with an accelerometer, the combinationof the gyroscope and the accelerometer may provide a more accurateindication of movement within a 3-D space when compare to anaccelerometer alone. According to aspects of the disclosure, one or moregyroscopes may be included in the golf club 100. For example, one ormore gyroscopes may be included in the monitoring device 201 or otherMEMS configured to be engaged within the golf club head body 101 orshaft 103/grip 105.

FIG. 5J shows an embodiment in which a gyroscope 320 is placed within agolf club head 101 to measure golf swing parameters. Gyroscope 320 maybe implemented with a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) or otherdevice or module capable of fitting within golf club head 101. Athree-axis gyroscope may be used to increase accuracy.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the gyroscope 320 may beconfigured to determine golf swing parameters by assuming that the pointof rotation is a golfer's shoulders. Club head velocity may bedetermined by an accelerometer (such as described above) that is part ofthe same MEMS, an external accelerometer or some other device. For golfswing parameter determination purposes, in the proximity of a golf ballthe movement of golf club head 101 may be modeled as an object moving onthe surface of a sphere. The sphere has a radius equal to the length ofthe club plus the length of the golfer's arms. In one embodiment, astandard radius of 62.5 inches is used. In other embodiments, a golfermay provide his or her arm length and/or club length for more accuratedeterminations.

The face angle of golf club head 101 may be determined as a function ofthe shaft rotation rate. The shaft rotation rate may be determined bygyroscope 320. FIG. 5K illustrates one exemplary method of determiningthe face angle with the use of a gyroscope. First, in step 330 the startof the back swing is determined. A velocity sensor may be used todetermine the start of the back swing. In step 340 impact of the golfclub with a ball is detected. Step 350 may be performed by the impactsensors described above. The shaft rotational rate as a function of timemay be determined by gyroscope 320 in step 350. Step 350 preferablyincludes determining the shaft rotational rate from at least the startin step 330 until at least the impact in step 340. Next, in step 360,the golf club shaft rotational rate is integrated with respect to timefrom the start in step 330 until the impact in step 340 in accordancewith the following formula:Face Angle Change=∫_(BackswingStart) ^(Impact) Shaft Rotation Rate(t)dt

The face angle is then determined by adding the face angle change to theoriginal face angle in step 370.

Club head speed may be determined as a function of the radius (armlength plus club length) and angular velocity. In particular, the clubhead speed is the product of the radius and the angular velocity of golfclub head 101.

Swing tempo may be determined by first determining when the angular rateis zero and begins to increase at the start of the back swing. The timeof impact may then be determined by a spike in the angular rate thataccompanies the impact or from one or more other sensors, such as anaccelerometer or impact sensor.

Rotational velocities may also be used to determine the swing path. Inone embodiment in which gyroscope 320 is implemented with a three axisgyroscope and in which the z-axis is used to determine changes in faceangle, the y-axis is used to determine motion in a target referenceplane and the x-axis is used to determine motion parallel to the targetreference plane, the swing path may be estimated by the followingformula:

${SwingPath} = {{atan}\left( \frac{{xAxisRotational}\;{Velocity}}{yAxisRotationalVelocity} \right)}$

Therefore, as demonstrated above, the monitoring device can determinevarious aspects of a golfer's golf swing, including: the velocity of thegolf club (or club head) during a golf swing, the acceleration of theclub (or club head) during a golf swing, the angle of the golf club (orclub head) during a golf swing (e.g., relative to one or more referencepoints), swing tempo, the impact of the ball with the golf club headduring a golf swing, etc.

As described above, the golf club 100 may include a transmitter 203.Further, it is noted that while a transmitter is the depictedembodiment, according to particular embodiments of the disclosure, thetransmitter 203 may be a transceiver which is capable of receiving dataas well as transmitting data. Data determined from each of the one ormore sensors 202 may be communicated to the transmitter 203. Forexample, the one or more sensors 202 may be electrically connected totransmitter 203. Alternatively, data may be communicated wirelessly fromthe one or more sensors 201 to the transmitter 203. Regardless of howthe data is communicated from the one or more sensors 202 to thetransmitter 203, the transmitter 203 may be configured to transmit thedata determined by the one or more sensors 202 to a remote computersystem 400 (e.g., a portable computer device with a receiver configuredto receive the data from the transmitter 203). While not shown,according to aspects of the disclosure, the monitoring device 201 mayinclude a memory. The memory may be configured to store data from theone or more sensors 202. More specifically, the memory may store datawhile the golfing activity takes place and save it for latertransmission to the remote computer system 400 (as discussed below).

While the data may be transmitted from the transmitter 202 in anydesired manner, wireless type transmissions may be used in embodimentsof the disclosure. Any desired wireless transmission system and methodmay be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure,including the use of any desired wireless data transmission format orprotocol, including the transmission systems and protocols currently inuse in NIKE+™ athletic performance monitoring systems. According toexample aspects of the disclosure, the transmitter 203 may be configuredto transmit data using a variety of conventional protocols. For example,the monitoring device 201 may be configured to communicate using theBluetooth wireless communication protocol, so that it can be employedwith Bluetooth-capable mobile telephones, personal digital assistants,watches or personal computers. Further, other methods of transmittingmay be used as well, such as Bluetooth2, RFID, infrared transmission,cellular transmissions, etc.

Further, according to example aspects of the disclosure, the transmitter203 may be configured to transmit data via an antenna. For example, inone embodiment of the invention, a ferrule is used as an antenna. Theferrule may be formed of a metal material or other type of antennamaterial. In another embodiment, shaft 103 may function as an antenna.An antenna may also be plated onto shaft 103, embedded under grip 105 orplaced in any other location that does not interfere with a golf swing.The monitoring device 201 and the golf club head 101 may be configuredsuch that a connection is made between the transmitter 203 and theantenna when the monitoring device 201 is engaged with the golf clubhead 101.

While wireless communication between the monitoring device 201 and theremote computer system 400 is described above, it is noted that anydesired manner of communicating between the monitoring device 201 andthe remote computer system 410 may be used without departing from thescope of the disclosure, including wired connections. For example, ifdesired, monitoring device 201 may include its own data storage systemfor storing data from the one or more sensors 202. Further, themonitoring device 201 may be configured to be engaged with the remotecomputer system 400 in order to transmit data to the remote computer400. For example, monitoring device 201 may include an interface (e.g.,a USB connection) configured to engage with a port of the remotecomputer system 400 in order to transmit data to the remote computer400.

According to aspects of the disclosure, data collected from the sensors202 may be stored during a practice session or a round of golf. Then, ata convenient time, such as after the practice session or round of golf,the golfer may disengage the monitoring device 201 from the golf clubhead and engage it with the remote computer system 400 in order totransmit the data to the remote computer system 400. Any type ofconnection system may be used without departing from the scope of thedisclosure, including a wireless connection, a hardwired connection,connection via an input port (such as a USB port, or the like), etc.

Other data storage and/or transmission arrangements also are possiblewithout departing from the scope of the invention. For example, anydesired way of placing data derived from the physical data from themonitoring device 201 in the proper form or format for communication tothe remote computer system 400 may be provided without departing fromthe invention. For example, as discussed above, the monitoring device201 may include a receiver (e.g., the transmitter 203 may be atransceiver) which determines whether a transmission from transmitter203 has been or is being received by the remote computer 400. If thetransmission from transmitter 203 is not received by the remote computer400, the monitoring device 201 may be configured to store the data onthe memory (e.g., if the remote computer system 400 is not in range oris turned off). In this way, data collected by the sensors 202 will bestored locally so that it will not be lost and can be downloaded laterto the remote computer system 400.

The remote computer system 400 may be any desired type of computersystem, at any desired location, without departing from the scope of thedisclosure.

An example remote computer 400 may include a processor system (which mayinclude one or more processors or microprocessors, which may beconfigured to execute software instructions), a memory, a power supply,an output device, other user input devices, and datatransmission/reception system (e.g., a wireless transceiver). Theprocessor system and the memory may be connected, either directly orindirectly, through a bus or alternate communication structure to one ormore peripheral devices. For example, the processor system or the memorymay be directly or indirectly connected to additional memory storage,such as a hard disk drive, a removable magnetic disk drive, an opticaldisk drive, and a flash memory card. The processor system and the memoryalso may be directly or indirectly connected to one or more inputdevices and one or more output devices. The input devices may include,for example, a keyboard, touch screen, a remote control pad, a pointingdevice (such as a mouse, touchpad, stylus, trackball, or joystick), ascanner, a camera or a microphone. The output devices may include, forexample, a monitor display, speakers, etc.

Still further, the processor system may be directly or indirectlyconnected to one or more network interfaces for communicating with anetwork. This type of network interface, also sometimes referred to as anetwork adapter or network interface card (NIC), translates data andcontrol signals from the processor system into network messagesaccording to one or more communication protocols, such as theTransmission Control Protocol (TCP), the Internet Protocol (IP), and theUser Datagram Protocol (UDP). These protocols are well known in the art,and thus will not be discussed here in more detail. The datatransmission/reception system may employ any suitable connection agentfor connecting to a network, including, for example, a wirelesstransceiver, a power line adapter, a modem, or an Ethernet connection.

It should be appreciated that, in addition to the input, output andstorage peripheral devices specifically listed above, the computingdevice may be connected to a variety of other peripheral devices,including some that may perform input, output and storage functions, orsome combination thereof.

Of course, still other peripheral devices may be included with orotherwise connected to the remote computer system 400, as is well knownin the art. In some cases, a peripheral device may be permanently orsemi-permanently connected to the processor system. For example, as withmany computers, the processor system, the hard disk drive, the removableoptical disk drive and a display are semi-permanently encased in asingle housing. Still other peripheral devices may be removablyconnected to the remote computer system. The remote computer system mayinclude, for example, one or more communication ports through which aperipheral device can be connected to the processor unit (eitherdirectly or indirectly through the bus). These communication ports maythus include a parallel bus port or a serial bus port, such as a serialbus port using the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard or the IEEE 1394High Speed Serial Bus standard (e.g., a Firewire port). Alternately oradditionally, the remote computer system 400 may include a wireless data“port,” such as a Bluetooth interface, a Wi-Fi interface, an infrareddata port, or the like.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the transmission/receptionsystem may be configured for communication with the transmitter 203 ofthe monitoring device via the above described transmission/receptionsystems and/or through any type of known electronic communications. Ifdesired, in accordance with at least some examples of this invention,the remote computer system 400 may include a display and/or a user inputsystem, such as one or more rotary input devices, switches, buttons,mouse or trackball elements, touch screens, or the like, or somecombination thereof.

The display may be employed to show, for example, information relatingto the golfing information signals being received by the remote computersystem 400, etc. The user input system may be employed, for example: tocontrol one or more aspects of the processing of the input datareceived, to control input data receipt (e.g., timing, types ofinformation received, on-demand data requests, etc.), to control dataoutput, to control the monitoring device, etc. Alternatively oradditionally, if desired, the input system on the remote computer system400 (e.g., buttons, a touch screen, a digitizer/stylus based input, arotary input device, a trackball or roller ball, a mouse, etc.), may beused to provide user input data to the monitoring device 201. As stillanother example, if desired, a voice input system may be provided withthe interface device and/or the remote computer system 400, e.g., toenable user input via voice commands. Any other desired type of userinput system, for control of any system elements and/or for any purpose,may be provided without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Forexample, the remote computer system 400 may include additional inputand/or output elements, e.g., such as ports e.g., for headphones (orother audio output), power supplies, wireless communications, infraredinput, microphone input, or other devices.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the remote computer system 400may be, for example, portable audio and/or video players, cellulartelephones, personal digital assistants, pagers, beepers, palm topcomputers, laptop computers, desktop computers, servers, or any type ofcomputer controlled device, optionally a computer controlled device thatgenerates or displays a human perceptible output and/or interface.

FIG. 6 illustrates one example of a remote computer system 400 that maybe employed according to various examples of the invention to measurevarious information corresponding a golfer's abilities and game. Asshown in this figure, the remote computer system 400 may be a cellulartelephone (e.g., a Bluetooth enabled cellular telephone, such as anIPHONE®, BLACKBERRY®, DROID®, or other smart phone, etc.). FIG. 6 alsoillustrates a schematic rendering of the remote computer system 400. Asseen in FIG. 6, the cellular telephone may include a processor system402, a memory 404, a power supply 406, and a data transmission/receptionsystem (e.g., a wireless receiver or transceiver) 408. The memory 404may include both a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory(RAM). As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art,both the read-only memory (ROM) and the random access memory (RAM) maystore software instructions for execution by the processor system 400.The data transmission/reception system 408 may be configured to receive,from the transmitter 203, data that corresponds to the measured golfingparameter. Further, as shown, the data transmission/reception system 408may be configured to provide the received data to the processor 402.

For example, according to aspects of the disclosure, the datatransmission/reception system 408 receives the signals (e.g., processedor unprocessed signals) transmitted by the transmitter 203 in themonitoring device 201. The data transmission/reception system 408 may beconfigured to relay the signals to the processor 402, which processesthe signals further. Like the processor 204, the processor 402 mayperform any desired operation on the processed signals, such as curvesmoothing, noise filtering, outlier removal, amplification, summation,integration, or the like.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the processor 402 may initiallystore the processed signals in a memory 404. Further, with someimplementations of the disclosure, the processor 402 may operate on theprocessed signals provided by the monitoring device 201 to generate aset of data corresponding to the golf activity performed by the golfer.For example, if the monitoring device 201 includes accelerometers formeasuring the acceleration of the golf club head 101, the processor 402may analyze the signals from the monitoring device 201 to generate a setof data describing the acceleration of the golf club head 101 atspecific instances during the golf swing. It is noted that thetransmitted data set may also include a time value associated with eachspeed value.

Once the processor 402 has generated a set of data from the informationprovided by the monitoring device 201, the processor 402 may store thedata set in the memory 404. As will be discussed in more detail below,when the remote computer system 400 subsequently is connected to asecond computing device 500 implementing a golf information collectiontool, the computing unit 404 may be configured download the data to adisplay configuration tool.

It is noted that the above described monitoring system (which includesthe monitoring device 201 and the remote computer system 400) may beconfigured to be active, real-time transmitting systems that providesdata to the remote computer system 400 as the golf activity is takingplace. Optionally, if desired, the remote computer system 400 may beconfigured to provide the golfer with real-time performance feedback(e.g., velocity of the golf club head, acceleration of the golf clubhead, the impact position of the golf ball on the ball striking face,path of the swing path of a particular swing, face angle of the ballstriking face of the club head throughout the swing (e.g., duringimpact), etc.) while the golfing performance is taking place. Thereal-time performance feedback could be in the form of an audio orvisual message. For example, if desired, the remote computer system 400may be configured to provide an output based on the received data fromthe sensors 202, wherein the output provides feedback to the golfer inreal time, such as when the athletic performance is taking place. Forexample, the output may be as a visual display such as an alphanumeric,video, or textual output. Additionally, or alternatively, the output maybe an audio output, such as an audio tone, message, etc.

According to example aspects of the disclosure, the output may include avisual display provided on the display screen of the cellular telephone,wherein the visual display includes one of: an illustration of a swingpath of a golf swing, a numeric value of a maximum acceleration of thegolf club head 101 during a golf swing (and, if desired, at a particulartime relative to the duration of the golf swing when that maximumacceleration was reached), a numeric value of the acceleration orvelocity of the golf club head 101 at a particular time relative to theduration of the golf swing (e.g., the acceleration or velocity of thegolf club head 101 during impact or on the backswing), the angle of theball striking face 107 at a particular time relative to the duration ofthe golf swing (e.g., the angle of the ball striking face 107 duringimpact; this may be represented with characters (e.g., “Open Face”,“Closed Face”, etc.) or graphically (e.g., pictures of a golf club headwith an “Open Face”, “Closed Face”, etc.), the impact location of thegolf ball on ball striking face, messages (e.g., “Great Shot!” or “YouHit a Slice”), etc. Similarly, audio messages may be employed as well.For example, recorded messages (e.g., recorded by well known golfers)may be stored in the memory and played based on predefined circumstancesbeing achieved.

It should be appreciated that, while some specific embodiments of theinvention described above relate to a cellular telephone, alternateexamples of the disclosure may be implemented using other portableelectronic device. For example, with some implementations of theinvention, the monitoring device 201 may be used in conjunction with adigital music or video player, a watch, a personal digital assistant,another type of music player (such as a compact disc or satellite radiomusic player), a portable computer, or any other desired electronicdevice. For example, remote computer system 400 may be in the form of awrist band, such as a watch or other wrist borne data receiving device,or an arm band, or other apparel. Therefore, it is understood that whileseveral examples of the remote computer system 400 are described above,the remote computer system 400 may take on a variety of different formswithout departing from the scope of the disclosure.

It is noted, that if the remote computer system 400 does not have aninternal electronic interface device (e.g., if the remote computer 400is a digital music player, such as an iPod®, the datatransmission/reception system 408 (e.g., the receiver or transceiver)may be a separate device which is configured to engage with the remotecomputer system 400. For example, the data transmission/reception system408 may include a connector system that physically plugs into andconnects with a conventional input port provided on remote computersystem 400. The input port into which the connector system of the datatransmission/reception system 408 connects may be any desired type ofinput port for transferring data, such as a parallel data port, a serialdata port, an earphone or microphone jack, etc. The connector system mayinclude any suitable connecting devices, such as wires, pins, electricalconnectors, and the like, so as to make an electrical connection orother suitable connection with corresponding elements provided in theinput port of the remoter computer system 400 (e.g., to allow electronicand/or data communications between the remote computer system and theelectronic interface device). If necessary or desired, additionalsecuring elements may be provided to securely connect the interfacedevice to the remote computer system 400, such as straps, hooks,buckles, clips, clamps, clasps, retaining elements, mechanicalconnectors, and the like. In this way, when the external datatransmission/reception system 408 is engaged with the remote computersystem 400, the remote computer system 400 may communicate wirelesslywith the monitoring device 201.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show an illustrative transmission from the monitoringdevice 201 to the remote computer system 400 according to aspects of thedisclosure. Specifically, FIG. 7B illustrates the transmitter (ortransceiver) 203 of the monitoring device 201 communicating with thetransmission reception system 408 of the remote computer 400. Asdescribed above, in embodiments in which the monitoring device 201includes a transceiver 203, the communication may be two-way, i.e., fromthe transceiver 203 to the transmission reception system 408 of theremote computer 400 and, also, from the transmission reception system408 to the transceiver 203. However, in embodiments in which themonitoring device 201 includes a transmitter 203, the communication willbe one way, i.e., from the transmitter 203 to the transmission receptionsystem 408 of the remote computer 400.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the determination of data by themonitoring device 201 and the transmission of data between themonitoring device 201 and the remote computer 400 may be performed in avariety of ways.

For example, according to a first method in which the monitoring device201 determines data and then communicates the data to the remotecomputer 400, the monitoring device 201 includes sensors 202 (e.g., oneor more accelerometers, one or more gyroscopes, and/or one or moremagnetometers), a transmission module 203 (e.g., a transmitter ortransceiver configured to transmit/receive data wirelessly (e.g.,through RF, Bluetooth, Bluetooth2, etc.)), a processor 204 (e.g.,microprocessor) and a power source 206 (e.g., a battery). Further,according to such a method, data determined by the monitoring unit istransmitted to the remote computer 400 (e.g., a portable telephone, acomputer (e.g., a PC), a sport tablet, an electronic range finder, suchas SKY CADDIE® available from SKY GOLF®), etc. Further, according tosuch a method, data may be determined by the sensors 202. Once the datais determined by the sensors, the processor 204 in the monitoring device201 may use the data to calculate golf metrics or variables (e.g., aswing path representation as discussed) According to aspects of themethod, the golf metrics or variables may be transmitted wirelessly viathe transmission module 203 to the remote computer 400. Alternatively,according to other aspects of the method, the golf metrics or variablesmay be stored in a memory in the monitoring device 201. Afterwards,(e.g., after a number of golf shots), the golf metrics or variables maybe transmitted wirelessly via the transmission module 203 to the remotecomputer 400. According to aspects of this method, the remote computer400 may be configured to store the golf metrics or variables,communicate the golf metrics or variables to the user, e.g., throughvideo or audio means, and/or further transmit the golf metrics orvariables to other devices.

According to another method in which the monitoring device 201determines data and then communicates the data to the remote computer400, the monitoring device 201 includes sensors 202 (e.g., one or moreaccelerometers, one or more gyroscopes, and/or one or moremagnetometers), a transmission module 203 (e.g., a transmitter ortransceiver configured to transmit/receive data wirelessly (e.g.,through RF, Bluetooth, Bluetooth2, etc.)), a processor 204 (e.g., amicroprocessor) and a power source 206 (e.g., a battery). Further,according to such a method, data determined by the monitoring unit istransmitted to the remote computer 400 (e.g., a portable telephone, acomputer (e.g., a PC), a sport tablet, an electronic range finder, suchas SKY CADDIE® available from SKY GOLF®), etc. Further, according tosuch a method, data may be determined by the sensors 202. Once the datais determined by the sensors, the processor 204 in the monitoring device201 may use the data to calculate kinematics (e.g., computedacceleration data). According to aspects of the method, the kinematicsmay be transmitted wirelessly via the transmission module 203 to theremote computer 400. For example, the kinematics may be transmittedduring each golf shot or after each golf shot. Alternatively, accordingto other aspects of the method, the kinematics may be stored in a memoryin the monitoring device 201. Afterwards, (e.g., after a number of golfshots or whenever the golfer desires), the kinematics may be transmittedwirelessly via the transmission module 203 to the remote computer 400.Regardless of when the kinematics are transmitted from the monitoringdevice 201 to the remote computer 400, once the kinematics are receivedby the remote computer 400 (e.g., via the transmission reception system408), the remote computer 400 may be configured to process thekinematics to calculate golf metrics or variables. According to aspectsof this method, the remote computer 400 may be configured to store thegolf metrics or variables, communicate the golf metrics or variables tothe user, e.g., through video or audio means, and/or further transmitthe golf metrics or variables to other devices.

According to another method in which the monitoring device 201determines data and then communicates the data to the remote computer400, the monitoring device 201 includes sensors 202 (e.g., one or moreaccelerometers, one or more gyroscopes, and/or one or moremagnetometers), a transmission module 203 (e.g., a transmitter ortransceiver configured to transmit/receive data wirelessly (e.g.,through RF, Bluetooth, Bluetooth2, etc.)), a processor 204 (e.g., amicroprocessor) and a power source 206 (e.g., a battery). Further,according to such a method, data determined by the monitoring unit istransmitted to the remote computer 400 (e.g., a portable telephone, acomputer (e.g., a PC), a sport tablet, an electronic range finder, suchas SKY CADDIE® available from SKY GOLF®), etc. Further, according tosuch a method, data may be determined by the sensors 202. Once the datais determined by the sensors, the processor 204 in the monitoring device201 may use the data to calculate individual processed sensor signals(e.g., processed electrical signals from the sensors). According toaspects of the method, the individual processed sensor signals may betransmitted wirelessly via the transmission module 203 to the remotecomputer 400. For example, the individual processed sensor signals maybe transmitted during each golf shot or after each golf shot.Alternatively, according to other aspects of the method, the individualprocessed sensor signals may be stored in a memory in the monitoringdevice 201. Afterwards, (e.g., after a number of golf shots or wheneverthe golfer desires), the individual processed sensor signals may betransmitted wirelessly via the transmission module 203 to the remotecomputer 400. Regardless of when the individual processed sensor signalsare transmitted from the monitoring device 201 to the remote computer400, once the individual processed sensor signals are received by theremote computer 400 (e.g., via the transmission reception system 408),the remote computer 400 may be configured to process the individualprocessed sensor signals to calculate golf metrics or variables.According to aspects of this method, the remote computer 400 may beconfigured to store the golf metrics or variables, communicate the golfmetrics or variables to the user, e.g., through video or audio means,and/or further transmit the golf metrics or variables to other devices.

According to another method in which the monitoring device 201determines data and then communicates the data to the remote computer400, the monitoring device 201 includes sensors 202 (e.g., one or moreaccelerometers, one or more gyroscopes, and/or one or moremagnetometers), a transmission module 203 (e.g., a transmitter ortransceiver configured to transmit/receive data wirelessly (e.g.,through RF, Bluetooth, Bluetooth2, etc.)), a power source 206 (e.g., abattery). Further, according to such a method, data determined by themonitoring unit 201 is transmitted to the remote computer 400 (e.g., aportable telephone, a computer (e.g., a PC), a sport tablet, anelectronic range finder, such as SKY CADDIE® available from SKY GOLF®),etc. Further, according to such a method, data may be determined by thesensors 202. Once the data is determined by the sensors, data may betransmitted wirelessly via the transmission module 203 to the remotecomputer 400. For example, the data may be transmitted to the remotecomputer 400 without being processed (e.g., raw data such as electricalsignals from the sensors). According to such a method, the unprocesseddata may be transmitted during each golf shot or after each golf shot.Alternatively, according to other aspects of the method, the unprocesseddata may be stored in a memory in the monitoring device 201. Afterwards,(e.g., after a number of golf shots or whenever the golfer desires), theunprocessed data may be transmitted wirelessly via the transmissionmodule 203 to the remote computer 400. Regardless of when theunprocessed data is transmitted from the monitoring device 201 to theremote computer 400, once the unprocessed data is received by the remotecomputer 400 (e.g., via the transmission reception system 408), theremote computer 400 may be configured to process the unprocessed data tocalculate golf metrics or variables. According to aspects of thismethod, the remote computer 400 may be configured to store the golfmetrics or variables, communicate the golf metrics or variables to theuser, e.g., through video or audio means, and/or further transmit thegolf metrics or variables to other devices.

While the above methods described various methods for determining databy the monitoring device 201 and the communicating the data between themonitoring device 201 and the remote computer 400, they should not beconstrued as limiting. In contrast, they are provided to assist thereader with understanding the disclosure and other methods fordetermining data by the monitoring device 201 and the communicating thedata between the monitoring device 201 and the remote computer 400 maybe considered within the scope of the disclosure.

It also should be appreciated that, while specific examples ofmonitoring devices 201 have been described above for ease ofunderstanding, any type of desired monitoring device 201 can be employedwith various embodiments of the disclosure. For example, according toaspects of the disclosure, the monitoring device 201 may be configuredto engage with the shaft 103 of the golf club 100. For example, themonitoring device 201 may be configured with a shape and size such thatthe monitoring device 201 is able to be positioned within the grip 105of the golf club.

For example, according to aspects of the disclosure, the grip 105 may beconfigured to receive a removable section or cartridge 200. Further, theremovable section 200 may be configured to receive the monitoring device201. FIG. 8 shows an illustrative embodiment of such aspects of thedisclosure.

As seen in FIG. 8, the removable section 200 may include a circularportion which forms the top of the shaft and, also, an elongated portionconfigured to house the monitoring device 201. According to aspects ofthe disclosure, the elongated portion of the removable section 200 mayinclude guides to aid in positioning and securing the monitoring device201 within the removable section 200. It is noted that the removablesection 200 may be configured to secure the monitoring device 201 insuch a way that the monitoring device 201 does not move within theremovable section 200. For example, the removable section 200 may beconfigured to engage with the monitoring device 201 (e.g., a compartmentwhich includes the exterior of the monitoring device 201) via pressfitting, snap fit mechanisms (e.g., spring loaded protrusions andcorresponding detents), mechanical fasteners, etc. For example, theelongate portion may include a first arched end configured to engage afirst rounded end of the compartment, a second arched end configured toengage a second rounded end of the compartment and a back portion whichextends between the first arched portion and the second arched portionand is configured to engage a side of the compartment. In this way, theremovable section 200 may be configured to support and stabilize themonitoring device 201. For example, the elongate portion may beconfigured to secure the compartment which may be rectangular with firstand second rounded ends and have a length in the range of 1.0-1.5inches, a width of 0.4-1.0 inches and thickness of 0.2-0.45 inches.According to aspects of the disclosure, the removable section 200 may bemade of plastic. It is noted that other materials, such as rubber, orcombinations thereof may be used as well.

The removable section or cartridge 200 may be configured to be engagedwith the grip 105 in a variety of ways. For example, the grip 105 may beconfigured with an opening at its terminal end that is configured toreceive the removable section 200. Further, the grip 105 may beconfigured with guides within the interior of the grip 105 that guidethe removable section during insertion into the grip 105. Also, the gripmay be configured with a locking mechanism, such as threads which linethe interior of the grip 105. The removable section 200 may include acorresponding structure through which the removable section 200 isengaged and locked with the grip 105 upon twisting the removable section200 into the grip 105. Alternatively, the removable section 200 may beconfigured to engage with the grip 105 via press fitting, snap fitmechanisms (e.g., spring loaded protrusions and corresponding detents),other mechanical fasteners, etc.

FIG. 8A illustrates an exploded view of another embodiment of aremovable section or cartridge according to aspects of the disclosure.For example, as seen in FIG. 8A, the cartridge 200 may be configured tofit within a top portion of the grip 105, or distal end of the grip 105.The top portion of the grip 105 may be configured to removably fitwithin the golf club shaft 103. The removable top portion of the grip105 and the cartridge 200 may be configured to be attached to each otheras explained below.

Hence, in an exemplary embodiment, the top portion of the grip 105 maybe considered a cartridge holder 106. The cartridge holder 106 generallyincludes a first portion 108 which is configured to receive thecartridge 200 supporting the monitoring device 201 and a second portion110 configured to engage with the interior of the shaft 103 of the golfclub.

The first portion 108 has a main body portion 190 having a first opening191 therein and a second opening 192. The first opening 191 is generallyan elongated slot that extends generally longitudinally into the mainbody portion 190. The first opening 191 can vary in length and width andis generally dimensioned to receive the portion of the cartridge 200holding the sensor 201 as described in greater detail below. The firstopening 191 is dimensioned such that there minimum play between thecartridge 200 and the main body portion 190. The second opening 192 is athreaded opening in an exemplary embodiment. The main body portion 190further defines a recessed portion 193 at a distal end and the firstopening 191 and the second opening 192 open at the recessed portion 193.The second portion 110 has a protrusion 194 that extends from the mainbody portion 190 of the first portion 108. The protrusion 194 may behollow and is dimensioned to fit within and extend into the shaft 103.In an exemplary embodiment, the cartridge member 106 is an integralmember and can be formed from a variety of materials known in the art.In addition, an outer surface of the main body portion 190 may be formedwith the material identical to the remaining portions of the grip memberto provide a uniform surface as desired.

As further shown in FIG. 8A, the removable cartridge 200 has a capmember 205 having a clip member 207 depending from the cap member 205.The cap member 205 has an orifice 208 extending therethrough andadjacent to the clip member 207. The clip member 207 has a base 209 anda resilient finger 210 extending generally transversely from the base209. The base is dimensioned to accommodate the length of the sensor201. The resilient finger 210 engages an end of the sensor 201. Thus, itis understood that the sensor 201 is inserted into the cartridge 200wherein the sensor 201 is secured generally in an interference fit. Oneend of the sensor 201 is engaged by the resilient finger 210 and anotherend of the sensor 201 is engaged by an underside of the cap member 205.Accordingly, the sensor 201 can be snapped into the clip member 207. Ifdesired, additional fingers or other retaining elements can beincorporated with the clip member 207. For example, additional retainingelements may be employed when a longer base 209 is utilized thus spacingthe sensor 201 further away from the cap member 205.

As further shown in FIG. 8A, the cartridge holder 106 is secured to theshaft 103. The second portion 110 is inserted and secured to the shaft103. This connection may be a permanent connection or a releasableconnection. The removable cartridge 200 is inserted into the cartridgeholder 106. The base 209 and finger 210 holding the sensor 201 areinserted into the first opening 191. The structure of the main bodyportion 190 surrounds and securely holds the cartridge 200 and therebyfurther protects the monitoring device 201 from damage due to impact orthe elements. It is further understood that the first opening 191 isgenerally non-circular wherein the clip member 207 holding the sensor201 must be inserted into the first opening 191 in a set, fixedorientation. Further, with minimum play around the sensor 201, theposition of the sensor 201 is always known. This aids in the ability torecord and analyze data in a desired fashion.

The cap member 205 is received in the recessed portion 193. The capmember 205 is generally flush with the end of the cartridge holder 106.The orifice 208 on the cap member 205 is aligned with the second opening192. A threaded fastener 211 is inserted through the orifice 208 andsecured in the second opening 192. Thus, removable cartridge 200 is thussecured in the grip of the club by a single fastener. It is understoodthat other fastening mechanisms could be utilized between the removablecartridge 200 and the cartridge holder 106, or otherwise the grip 105.The other fastening mechanisms include snap-fitting configurations orinterference fittings as well as other mechanical configurations. Withsuch configuration, the cartridge holder 106 holding the cartridge 200is seamlessly integrated into the grip 105 and is virtuallyundetectable. The golf club appears like any traditional golf club thatdoes not incorporate any sensor technology.

It is further understood that the removable cartridge 200 may utilizefeatures of other embodiments described herein. For example, the clipmember 207 may have different lengths such as shown in FIG. 23A. Thecartridge holder 106 may then have corresponding structure to cooperatewith a cartridge 200 with such dimensions. The cartridge 200 may alsoemploy the various lock-out or other identifying structures describedherein.

According to other aspects of the disclosure, the grip 105 may beconfigured to receive and secure the monitoring device 201 directly,without the inclusion of a separate removable section or cartridge 200.FIG. 9 shows an illustrative embodiment of such aspects of thedisclosure.

The monitoring device 201 may be configured to be engaged with the grip105 in a variety of ways. For example, the grip 105 may be configuredwith an opening at its terminal end that is configured to receive themonitoring device 201. For example, as seen in FIG. 9, the grip 105 mayinclude a slit that is configured to receive the monitoring device 201when the monitoring device 201 is inserted into the grip along themonitoring device's longitudinal axis. The slit may be configured toprovide a tight interference fit with the monitoring device 201. It isnoted that in this way, the grip 105 may be configured to secure themonitoring device 201 such that the monitoring device 201 does not movewithin the grip 105. In this way, the removable section 200 may beconfigured to support and stabilize to the monitoring device 201.

Further, the grip 105 may be configured with guides within the interiorof the grip 105 that guide the monitoring device 201 during insertioninto the grip 105. Also, the grip may be configured with a lockingmechanism, such as a cover which includes flaps through which themonitoring device is inserted. It is noted that monitoring device 201may be configured to engage with the grip 105 via other methods as well,including snap fit mechanisms (e.g., spring loaded protrusions andcorresponding detents), other mechanical fasteners, etc.

While, the engagement of the monitoring device 201 and the removablesection 200 with the shaft is described above with respect to the grip105, it is noted that, alternatively, the shaft 103 may be configured toreceive the monitoring device 201 and/or the removable section 200 atthe butt end of the shaft 103. Further, the interior of the shaft 103may be configured to position the monitoring device 201 at any pointalong the length of the shaft 103 (e.g., at the butt end, the grip end,the center, etc.).

According to aspects of the disclosure, the grip end of the shaft 103(or a portion thereof) may be removable to allow the monitoring device201 to be inserted. Additionally, or alternatively, as described above,the butt end of the shaft may be removably engaged with the golf clubhead 101. Hence, the monitoring device 201 may be inserted into that endof the shaft 103 as well. Further, it is noted that, if desired, morethan one monitoring device 201 may be inserted into the shaft 103 inorder to measure various different locations or different portions ofthe shaft 103 during the golf swing.

According to aspects of the disclosure, golf club 101 may include amonitoring device 201 in both the shaft 103 and in the golf club head101. For example, the golf club 101 may include two monitoring devices201, such as a first monitoring device 201 which is positioned in thegrip 105 (such as shown in FIG. 8) and a second monitoring device 201which is positioned in the golf club head 101 such as shown in FIG. 5D.In such embodiments, wherein the golf club 101 includes a firstmonitoring device 201 positioned in the grip 105 and a second monitoringdevice 201 positioned in the golf club head 101, data may be collectedfrom both monitoring devices and used together in one of the mannersdescribed above with regard to providing golf metrics and variables. Forexample, the first monitoring device 201 positioned in the grip 105 anda second monitoring device 201 positioned in the golf club head 101 maybe configured to collect data related to different aspects of a golfswing. For example, first monitoring device 201 positioned in the grip105 may collect data regarding acceleration while the second monitoringdevice 201 positioned in the golf club head 101 may collect dataregarding the angle of the golf club (or club head) during a golf swing(e.g., relative to one or more reference points), or the impact of theball with the golf club head during a golf swing. Such data may becombined in calculating the golf metrics in order to provide moredetailed feedback to the golfer. It is noted that according to otheraspects of the disclosure, the first monitoring device 201 positioned inthe grip 105 and a second monitoring device 201 positioned in the golfclub head 101 may be configured to collect data related to the same orsimilar aspects of a golf swing. For example, both the first and secondmonitoring devices 201 may be configured to collect data related toacceleration. Again, such data may be combined in calculating the golfmetrics in order to provide more detailed feedback to the golfer. Suchgolf metrics that may be determined by one or more of the monitoringdevices may include bending, torsion, deflection, kick, etc. of theshaft during a golf swing.

Regardless of how many monitoring devices 201 are included in the golfclub and the positioning of the monitoring devices 201 on or within thegolf club, according to aspects of the disclosure, a first monitoringdevice 201 may be configured to be a “master” monitoring device 201 andthe other monitoring devices 201 may be configured to communicate datato the “master” monitoring device 201. Further, the “master” monitoringdevice 201 may be configured to receive, from the other monitoringdevices 201, the data determined by such monitoring devices 201 andperform any necessary calculations, comparisons, etc. as described inthis disclosure and/or transmit the data to the remote computer 400.

The “master” monitoring device 201 and other monitoring devices maycommunicate wirelessly (e.g., through RF, Bluetooth, Bluetooth2, etc.)or may be hardwired to each other. Although it is noted that if the“master” monitoring device 201 and other monitoring devices communicatevia wiring, the wiring may be removable connected via ports or otherinterfaces. Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, the“master” monitoring device 201 and other monitoring devices may not havethe same configuration. For example, the “master” monitoring device 201may include a processor 204 such as a programmable microprocessor, apurpose-specific circuit device (e.g., an ASIC), etc. Further, the“master” monitoring device 201 may also include sensors 202, atransmitter 203 (or transceiver) configured to transmit the processedsignals to a remote computer system 400, a power supply 206, and amemory (e.g., a flash memory). According to aspects of the disclosure,the other monitoring devices 201 may or may not have the same structureas the “master” monitoring device 201. For example, the other monitoringdevices 201 may not include the same processor 204 which performs anynecessary calculations, comparisons, etc. as described in thisdisclosure. Further, other monitoring devices 201 may not include thesame transmitter 203 (or transceiver) configured to transmit the data tothe remote computer 400. In some embodiments, the other monitoringdevices 201 may be configured to submit the “raw” data from the sensors202 to the “master” monitoring device 201, such as by wirelesstransmission, without being processed.

For example, according to an illustrative embodiment, a “master”monitoring device 201 such as described above may be included in theshaft 103 in a first position (e.g., the grip) and another monitoringdevice 201 such as one of the other monitoring devices 201 describedabove may be included at a second position in the shaft 103 which isdifferent from the first position. Additionally, monitoring device 201such as one of the other monitoring devices 201 described above may beincluded at other locations in the golf club 100 (e.g., in the golf clubhead 101 or at other positions in the shaft 103). It is furtherunderstood that the exemplary embodiments of the golf club 100 describedherein can also cooperate with golf balls having various types ofsensors operably associated therewith.

Further, is noted that, if desired, strain gauges may be used inconjunction with the monitoring device 201 in order to providemeasurements regarding the axial strain, bending moments or othercharacteristics of the shaft 103 or other features of the golf swing.Such data may be combined in calculating the golf metrics in order toprovide more detailed feedback to the golfer. Such strain gauges areknown in the art and will not be elaborated on here for the sake ofbrevity.

As discussed above, according to particular embodiments of thedisclosure, the monitoring device 201 may also be configured to identifythe particular golf club in which the monitoring device 201 is engaged.For example, golf club 100 may include a chip (e.g., an RFID chip) whichcommunicates with the monitoring device 201 when the cartridge 200 orthe monitoring device 201 is engaged with the golf club 100. This couldbe through direct electrical connection, wireless transmission, etc. Thechip may be configured to indicate to the monitoring device 201 withwhich golf club the monitoring device 201 is engaged. Of course, othermethods of identification may be used as well. For example, prior touse, the monitoring device 201 may be programmed such that it reflectsthe golf club with which it will be used prior to even being engagedwith the golf club head 202.

Regardless of how the monitoring device 201 is aware of the particulargolf club with which it is engaged, according to aspects of thedisclosure, such information may be incorporated with the data collectedfrom the sensors 202 of the monitoring device 201. For example, thecharacteristics of a particular golf shot (e.g., the velocity of thegolf club (or club head) during a golf swing, the acceleration of theclub (or club head) during a golf swing, the angle of the golf club (orclub head) during a golf swing (e.g., relative to one or more referencepoints), swing tempo, the impact of the ball with the golf club headduring a golf swing, etc.) may be coordinated with the particular golfclub with which the shot was made (e.g., the processor 204 of themonitoring device may be configured to calculate and coordinate suchdata).

Such coordinated identification information may then be transmitted bythe transmitter 203 and/or stored in a memory (if applicable) along withthe data from the sensors 202 (e.g., through methods such as discussedabove). Of course, the identification information and the data from thesensors 202 may be coordinated at the remote computer system 400 ifdesired (e.g., through methods such as discussed above). Regardless ofwhere the identification information and data from the sensors or golfmetrics are coordinated, such coordinated information may be includedwith a data set generated from the information provided by themonitoring device 201.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the processor 204 of themonitoring device 201 or remote computer system 400 may use such golfclub identification information and data from the sensors 202 of themonitoring device 201 to determine an estimated distance of the golfshot. For example, the remote computer system 400 may be configured touse characteristics of the golf swing (e.g., velocity of the golf clubhead at impact, the angle of the golf club head at impact, etc.) and theparticular golf club which the golf shot was taken in order to estimatethe distance and the direction the golf ball will travel. Suchinformation may be useful to the golfer. For example, if the remotecomputer system 400 is a portable electronic device that the golfer hasduring a round of golf, the golfer may consult a remote computer systemand use such information to potentially find a lost golf ball. Ofcourse, the data may be used for other purposes as well. For example,the golfer's round of golf may be tracked and used for later analysis,such as to determine potential tendencies or habits in a golfer's swingof a particular golf club.

As discussed above, according to aspects of the disclosure, themonitoring device 201 may include a GPS technology. For example, themonitoring device 201 may include a GPS device which determines thelocation of the golf club 100 in which the monitoring device 201 isengaged. Alternatively, the golf club 100 may include a separate GPSdevice (e.g., a GPS transmitter/transceiver and, if desired, aprocessor). According to aspects of the disclosure, the locationinformation may be incorporated with data determined by the sensors ofmonitoring device 201. For example, the action of a golf swing may bedetermined by the sensors 202 of the monitoring device 201). Hence, bycoordinating such data with the location information from the GPS device(in a manner similar to the methods described above), the location ofeach golf shot taken during a round of golf may be determined.

Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, the above describedlocation of each golf shot may be incorporated with maps of the golfcourse on which the golf shots were taken in order to provide a golferwith information on each golf shot during a round of golf. For example,according to aspects of the disclosure, maps of the golf course may bedownloaded to the remote computer system 400. Thereafter, the golf shots(determined in a manner such as described above) may be superimposed orotherwise represented on the maps of the golf course in order torepresent the golfer's round of golf.

Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, the above describedlocation of a particular golf shot on the golf course may beincorporated with the data collected from the sensors 202. For example,the characteristics of a particular golf shot (e.g., the velocity of thegolf club (or club head) during a golf swing, the acceleration of theclub (or club head) during a golf swing, the angle of the golf club (orclub head) during a golf swing (e.g., relative to one or more referencepoints), swing tempo, the impact of the ball with the golf club headduring a golf swing, etc.) may be coordinated with the location on thegolf course at which that particular golf shot was taken.

Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, the above describedlocation of a particular golf shot on the golf course may beincorporated with information about the particular golf club with whichthe golf shot was taken. For example, such aspects of the determiningthe particular golf club with which a shot is take are described aboveand may be used in combination with the above described GPS technology.Further, such coordinated information may be included with a data setgenerated from the information provided by the monitoring device 201.For example, based on the data transmitted by the monitoring device 201,it may be determined that a golfer used a 3-iron to make a golf shot ata point 170 yards from the flag at the 2^(nd) hole of a golf course.

Some or all of the above described determining information, such asdetermined golf swing characteristics (e.g., the velocity of the golfclub (or club head) during a golf swing, the acceleration of the club(or club head) during a golf swing, the angle of the golf club (or clubhead) during a golf swing (e.g., relative to one or more referencepoints), swing tempo, the impact of the ball with the golf club headduring a golf swing, etc.), golf club identification, location of thegolf shot, golf course positioning information, etc., (includingcombinations and permutations thereof) may be coordinated and thecoordinated information may be included with a data set generated fromthe information provided by the monitoring device 201. Therefore,according to aspects of the disclosure, detailed information of thepractice session or round of golf may be recorded and analyzed.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the remote computer system 400does not have to be a portable computer system. For example, asdiscussed above, the remote computer system 400 may be a desktopcomputer or other type of computer system. In such embodiments, the datacollected by the monitoring device 201 may be stored locally in a memoryas described above.

When the golfer has finished the practice session or round, the golfermay disengage the monitoring device 201 from the golf club head andengage it with the remote computer system 400 in order to transmit thedata to the remote computer system 400. It is noted, that any type ofconnection system may be used without departing from the scope of thedisclosure, including a wireless connection, a hardwired connection,connection via an input port (such as a USB port, or the like), etc. Forexample, according to some aspects of the disclosure, the monitoringdevice 201 does not have to be disengaged from the golf club head 101and instead can transmit the data to the remote computer system 400wirelessly. Other data storage and/or transmission arrangements also arepossible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example,any desired way of placing data derived from the physical data from themonitoring device 201 in the proper form or format for communication tothe remote computer system 400 may be provided without departing fromthe invention.

It is noted that according to some aspects of the disclosure, themonitoring device 201 may be configured to transmit data to the remotecomputer system 400 (e.g., a portable computer system, such as acellular telephone) and the remote computer system 400 may be configuredto transmit data to a secondary computer system (such as a desktopcomputer) or a network as described below. For example, the remotecomputer system 400 may be connected to the secondary computer via a USBcable or other connection. Alternatively, a wireless connection such asdescribed above (e.g., telecommunication means of a smartphone) may beused as well. In such a configuration, wherein the remote computersystem 400 is portable, it could be used during play (e.g., at apractice session on a driving range or on the course during play) togive real time feedback to the golfer (e.g., during the round orpractice session). Thereafter or in real-time, the data from theportable remote computer system 400 may be downloaded or uploaded to thesecondary computer system for further analysis. For example, the datacould be uploaded over telecommunication lines (e.g., through a smartphone) to a network which could compare the uploaded data withpredetermined tables, charts, etc. and provide appropriate feedbackbased on the comparisons. For example, a system according to anexemplary embodiment can provide coaching videos, drills, challenges,product selection recommendations, etc. as described in detail belowbased on the uploaded data and comparisons of the uploaded data withpredetermined data. It is noted that in some embodiments (e.g., whereinthe secondary computer system is a network), the secondary computersystem may include databases which are configured to store profiles foran individual golfer and update the profile of the golfer based on theuploaded data.

Additional aspects of this disclosure relate to the presentation of datato the golfer, coach, or other person(s). Such systems help the golfermeasure and track his or her capabilities, mark improvements over time,determine areas that require additional work, etc. Data can be collectedover single rounds of golf, portions of rounds of golf, singlepractices, portions of practices, multiple rounds of golf (or portionsthereof), multiple practices (or portions thereof), multiple seasons (orportions thereof), etc.

FIG. 9A illustrates an example user interface screen 600 that may beused in systems and methods in accordance with at least some examples ofthis disclosure. As shown in FIG. 9A, the interface screen 600 maypresent much information to the player, including information relatingto a specific round of golf or practice session, as well as informationrelating to more long term use of systems and methods in accordance withthis disclosure. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, user interface 600may provide a display of the above described location of each golf shotincorporated with a map of the golf course on which the golf shots weretaken in order to provide a golfer with information on each golf shotduring a round of golf. For example, according to aspects of thedisclosure, maps of the golf course may be downloaded to the remotecomputer system 400 and the golf shots (determined in a manner such asdescribed above) have been superimposed on the map of the golf course inorder to represent the golfer's round of golf. Further additional datamay be displayed as shown.

Additionally, in accordance with this disclosure, other interfaces mayprovide information relating to: the overall total number of rounds ofgolf and/or practice sessions played by the golfer, the total overallstrokes logged by the golfer using the system, the golfer's handicapover that time period, the golfer's top swing speed during those roundsor practice sessions, the number of times the golfer had an open clubface during impact, the number of times the golfer had a closed clubface during impact, the number of strokes that the club head was withina predetermined angle during a predetermined portion of the golf swing(e.g., the backswing or downswing), etc., the number of strokes that theclub head was within a predetermined velocity or acceleration rangeduring the entire or a predetermined portion of the golf swing, etc.

The interface may also provide information for an individual round orpractice session (with the ability to select among the various storedrounds of golf or practice sessions on the system). For example, theinterface may display information relating to the speed of the golfswing during this specific practice session. Also, if desired, the userinterface could be adapted to allow user selection of various differentmetrics or information to be displayed.

Systems and methods in accordance with at least some examples of thisdisclosure may include “goals” or “challenges.” While the goals may beset by the individual golfer for himself or herself, optionally, thegoals or challenges may be set by others (e.g., a coach, etc.). Forexample, a user interface may present one or more data metric whichincludes “grayed out” blocks that represent a player's “goal” or“challenge” for that metric. For example, the data from a round of golfmay be displayed with an indication of the player's performance in thatround of golf (e.g., in blackened in boxes) along with an indication ofwhere the golfer's performance stood with respect to their “goal” or“challenge” levels (e.g., in grayed out boxes). The specific metric forthe “goal” or “challenge” may be displayed in any desired manner, e.g.,by clicking on the last box associated with the goal or challenge, byhovering over a grayed-out box, through a continuous display, etc. Forexample, the system may indicate that the player's overall top swingspeed goal or challenge is 70 mph, while in the present round they hadonly run at a top swing speed of 65 mph.

In the next round, however, if the golfer achieved his or her speed goalby swinging at 70 mph, the systems and methods in accordance with atleast some examples of this disclosure may provide a congratulatorymessage (e.g., textually, visually, audibly, etc., note the changes inthe display. Furthermore, if desired, in an effort to keep the golfermotivated, a new “goal” or “challenge” can be calculated and displayedfor the golfer. Also, if desired, when presented as a challenge from acoach, systems and methods in accordance with at least some examples ofthis disclosure may send a message to the golfer (or offer to let thegolfer compose a message to others (e.g., a coach)) to advise that thechallenge had been met. Other “rewards,” motivational information, orother interaction may be provided, if desired, without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure.

User interfaces for athletic performance monitoring systems and methodsin accordance with this invention may take on a wide variety of formsand formats and provide a variety of different types of displays andinformation without departing from this invention. Displays of othermetrics or combinations of metrics are possible without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Other graphical or other displays of thedesired metric information also may be provided without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure.

According to aspects of the disclosure, data collected from the abovedescribed system and metrics determined by the above described systemmay be uploaded to a network. For example, similar to aspects of theNIKE+™ athletic performance monitoring systems, such data may beuploaded to and shared on various social networking sites like FACEBOOK®or TWITTER®. In particular, the user may be able to enable or disableactivity broadcasts. Activity broadcasts may include the automaticsharing of completed rounds of golf, goals and challenges. Additionallyor alternatively, the user may enable or disable a function thatnotifies other users (e.g., placing a post or status update on theuser's network site page) whenever the user playing a round of golf orpracticing at a driving range. This may enable other users to postmessages of encouragement and to track the user's progress during theround of golf or the practice session. Golf data may also be posted tosocial network sites and social networking feeds mid-run and inreal-time. Various other features and functions may also be configuredby the user for sharing information.

Golfers may choose to share information or portions thereof with one ormore other users, friends or through a social networking site. If thegolfer chooses to share workout data through a social network site suchas FACEBOOK® or TWITTER®, an interface may be displayed. Such aninterface may include an automatically generated round of golf updatemessage and allow the golfer to include additional information or notes.Upon approving the message, the user may publish the data to the socialnetworking site by selecting publish option of the interface.

While wood-type golf clubs and wood-type golf club heads have beendescribed in detail above, other aspects of this disclosure relate toiron-type golf club heads and iron-type golf clubs. For example, FIG. 10illustrates an example of an iron-type golf club 700 according toaspects of the disclosure. As seen in FIG. 10, the iron-type golf club700 may include an iron-type golf club head 701 in accordance with thepresent disclosure.

In addition to the golf club head 701, the overall golf club structure400 may include a shaft 703 and a grip or handle 705 attached to theshaft 703. The shaft 703 may be received in, engaged with, and/orattached to the golf club head 701 in any suitable or desired manner,including in conventional manners known and used in the art, withoutdeparting from the disclosure. As more specific examples, the shaft 703may be engaged with the golf club head 701 through a shaft-receivingsleeve or element extending into the club head 701 (e.g., a hosel),and/or directly to the club head structure 701, e.g., via adhesives,cements, welding, soldering, mechanical connectors (such as threads,retaining elements, or the like). If desired, the shaft 703 may beconnected to the golf club head 701 in a releasable manner usingmechanical connectors to allow easy interchange of one shaft for anotheron the head. Also, the grip or handle 705 may be attached to, engagedwith, and/or extend from the shaft 703 in any suitable or desiredmanner, including in conventional manners known and used in the art,e.g., using adhesives or cements, etc. The shaft 703 and the grip orhandle 705 may be made from any suitable materials such as thosedescribed above with regard to the wood type golf club 100.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head 701 may alsoinclude a ball striking face (e.g., a ball striking face which includesa face plate) 711. According to aspects of the disclosure, the golf clubhead 701 may be constructed in any suitable or desired manner and/orfrom any suitable or desired materials without departing from thisdisclosure, including from conventional materials and/or in conventionalmanners known and used in the art. For example, the club head 701 and/orits various parts may be made by forging, casting, molding, and/or usingother techniques and processes, including techniques and processes thatare conventional and known in the art. According to aspects of thedisclosure, the golf club head 701 may be a blade type iron golf clubhead. According to other aspects the golf club head 701 may be aperimeter weighted and/or cavity back type golf club head or other irontype golf club head structure.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head 701 mayinclude a crown, a sole, a toe end, and a heel end. Further, as seen inFIGS. 11 and 12 the golf club head 701 may include a cavity, or port,709 behind the ball striking face 711. The port 709 may extendsubstantially along the length of the rear of the ball striking face711.

According to aspects of the disclosure, and as seen in FIGS. 13 and 14,the port 709 may be configured to receive a cartridge 800. Further, ifdesired, cartridge 800 may be secured within to the golf club head 701by securing means. It is noted, that the cartridge 800 may be secured inthe port 709 of the golf club head 701 in a variety of ways. Forexample, as discussed above, according to aspects of the disclosure, thecartridge 800 may be removably engaged with the golf club head 701.Therefore, mechanical fasteners may be used to secure the cartridge 800in the port 709. For example, example embodiments of the disclosure mayinclude a cartridge 800 which is configured to be engaged with the golfclub head 701 via press fitting, snap fit mechanisms (e.g., springloaded protrusions and corresponding detents), threaded fasteners, etc.Other securing means, such as described above with regard to wood-typegolf club, may be used as well.

According to example embodiments of the disclosure, the cartridge 800may be configured with a first portion (e.g., an exterior portion) 800a. Further, according to example aspects of the disclosure, thecartridge 800 may include a second portion (e.g., an insert portion) 800b which is configured to be inserted into the interior of the port 709of the golf club head 701. The cartridge 800 may be made from anydesired materials and combinations of different materials such asdescribed above with regard to cartridge 200.

The second portion may be configured to house a monitoring device 201similar to the one described above with regard to the wood-type golfclub. For example, the monitoring device 201 may be configured to housethe sensors 202, the transmitter/transceiver 203, processor 204, powersupply 206, memory, etc. The monitoring device 201, its capabilities andfunctions are similar to the monitoring device 201 described above and,therefore, for the sake of brevity, will not be elaborated on here.Further, the above described methods for determining and transmittingdata to the remote computer 400 are applicable with the iron-type golfclubs as well and, therefore, will not be repeated for the sake ofbrevity.

While not shown in the depicted embodiment, aspects of the disclosure,relate to a weight cartridge which is configured to be engaged with theport 709. The weight cartridge may be configured similarly to thecartridge 800 described above with the exception that the weightcartridge does not include a monitoring device 201. It is noted that theweight cartridge may be configured to engage with the port 709 in thesame manner as the corresponding cartridge 800. Hence, again, for thesake of brevity, the engaging and releasing structure of the weightcartridge and the port 709 will not be elaborated on here.

According to aspects of the disclosure, when the golfer does not want tohave the monitoring device 201 housed within the golf club 700, thegolfer may disengage and remove the cartridge 800 from the port 709 ofthe golf club head 701 and engage and secure the weight cartridge withthe port 709 of the golf club head 701. It is noted that according toaspects of the disclosure, the weight cartridge may be configured to actas a dampening member.

Based on the above disclosure, it is understood that aspects of thedisclosure are directed to a golf club configured to receiveinterchangeable sections or cartridges, wherein one of theinterchangeable cartridges may house a monitoring device 201 and asecond of the interchangeable cartridges does not house a monitoringdevice. In this way, the golfer may selectively configure the golf clubto include, or not include, the monitoring device 201 at the golfer'sdiscretion. It is noted that, if desired, neither the cartridge 800 orthe weight cartridge has to be included in the golf club head 701 and,instead, the golfer may remove the cartridge 800 and play with the port709 being open and unfilled.

FIG. 14A shows another iron-type golf club 800 according to aspects ofthe disclosure. As seen in FIG. 14A, the iron-type golf club 800 mayinclude an iron-type golf club head 801 in accordance with the presentdisclosure. Further, the iron-type golf club 800 may be configured toengage with a removable section or cartridge 200 and a monitoring device201.

According to the aspects of the disclosure, the monitoring device 201may be configured to engage with the golf club head 801 in a variety ofways. For example, as seen in FIG. 14A, the removable section 200 isengaged with the golf club head 801 via a threaded fastener. However,the removable section 200 may be configured to be engaged with the golfclub head 801 via other methods as well, such as press fitting, snap fitmechanisms (e.g., spring loaded protrusions and corresponding detents),etc. As seen, the removable section 200 may include an openingconfigured to surround the monitoring device 201 and through which themonitoring device is visible. The removable section 200 may beconfigured to provide support and stability to the monitoring device201. According to aspects of the disclosure, the removable section 200may be made of plastic or other materials.

Further, as seen in FIGS. 14A, the monitoring device 201 is engaged withthe golf club head 801. The engagement of the monitoring device 201 withthe golf club head 801 can be done in a variety of ways, e.g.,mechanical fasteners, press fitting, snap fit mechanisms (e.g., springloaded protrusions and corresponding detents), threaded fasteners, etc.The golf club head 801 may include a recess configured to receive themonitoring device 201. For example, the recess may be configured tosurround and engage the monitoring device 201 in order to support andstabilize the monitoring device 201.

The golf club head 801, the removable section 200 and the monitoringdevice 201 may be configured to provide desirable weight placement inthe club head 801. For example, the golf club head 101, the removablesection 200 and the monitoring device 201 may be configured such thatwhen engaged, the golf club head 801 it is in the lower portion of thegolf club head 801.

A wide variety of overall club head constructions are possible withoutdeparting from this disclosure. For example, it is noted that thedimensions and/or other characteristics of the golf club heads 701, 801according to examples of this disclosure may vary significantly withoutdeparting from the disclosure. For example, the above described featuresand configurations may be incorporated into any iron-type club headsincluding, for example: wedges (e.g., pitching wedges, lob wedges, gapwedges, sand wedges, etc.), iron-type hybrid clubs, driving irons, 0through 10 irons, etc.

Further, the above described features and configurations in the aspectsof the disclosure may be incorporated into a blade type golf club heads,a perimeter weighted and/or cavity back type golf club head or otheriron type golf club head structure without departing from thisdisclosure. For example, a perimeter weighted and/or cavity back typegolf club head including the golf club heads 701, 801 according toaspects of the disclosure, may include a rear surface opposite the ballstriking face 711 which includes a perimeter weighting member extendingrearward from the ball striking face and along at least a portion of acircumferential area of the golf club head body.

While wood-type golf clubs and iron-type golf clubs have been describedin detail above, other aspects of this disclosure relate to putter typegolf club heads and putters. For example, FIGS. 15A and 15B generallyillustrate an example of a putter-type golf club head 1001 according toaspects of the disclosure. The putter-type golf club head 1001 may beincluded in a putter which includes a shaft and a grip or handle (notshown). It is noted that the shaft and the grip or handle may beconfigured and attached to, or engaged with, the putter-type golf clubhead 1001 any suitable or desired manner such as those described abovewith regard to the wood type golf club 100 and iron-type golf club 700.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head 1001 may alsoinclude a ball striking face (e.g., a ball striking face which includesa face plate) 1111. According to aspects of the disclosure, the golfclub head 1001 may be constructed in any suitable or desired mannerand/or from any suitable or desired materials without departing fromthis disclosure, including from conventional materials and/or inconventional manners known and used in the art. For example, the clubhead 1001 and/or its various parts may be made by forging, casting,molding, and/or using other techniques and processes, includingtechniques and processes that are conventional and known in the art.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the golf club head 701 mayinclude a crown, a sole, a toe end, and a heel end. Further, as seen inFIG. 15B the golf club head 1001 may include a cavity, or port, 1009behind the ball striking face 1011. The port 1009 may be positionedcentrally in the golf club head 1001 and behind the rear of the ballstriking face 1011.

According to aspects of the disclosure, and as seen in FIG. 15B, theport 1009 may be configured to receive a cartridge 1100. Further, ifdesired, the cartridge 1100 may be secured within the golf club head1001 by securing means. It is noted, that the cartridge 1100 may besecured in the port 1009 of the golf club head 1001 in a variety ofways. For example, as discussed above, according to aspects of thedisclosure, the cartridge 1100 may be removably engaged with the golfclub head 1001. Therefore, mechanical fasteners may be used to securethe cartridge 1100 in the port 1009. For example, example embodiments ofthe disclosure may include a cartridge 1100 which is configured to beengaged with the golf club head 1001 via press fitting, snap fitmechanisms (e.g., spring loaded protrusions and corresponding detents),threaded fasteners, etc. Other securing means, such as described abovewith regard to wood-type golf club, may be used as well.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the cartridge 1100 may be madefrom any desired materials and combinations of different materials suchas described above with regard to cartridge 200. Further, according toexample embodiments of the disclosure, the cartridge 1100 may beconfigured with configured to house a monitoring device 201 similar tothe one described above with regard to the wood-type golf club. Forexample, the monitoring device 201 may be configured to house thesensors 202, the transmitter/transceiver 203, processor 204, powersupply 206, memory, etc. The monitoring device 201, its capabilities andfunctions are similar to the monitoring device 201 described above and,therefore, for the sake of brevity, will not be elaborated on here.Further, the above described methods for determining and transmittingdata to the remote computer 400 are applicable with the iron-type golfclubs as well and, therefore, will not be repeated for the sake ofbrevity.

As seen in FIG. 15B, aspects of the disclosure, relate to a weightcartridge 1200 which is configured to be engaged with the port 1009. Theweight cartridge 1200 may be configured similarly to the cartridge 1100described above with the exception that the weight cartridge 1200 doesnot include a monitoring device 201. It is noted that the weightcartridge 1200 may be configured to engage with the port 1009 in thesame manner as the corresponding cartridge 1100. Hence, again, for thesake of brevity, the engaging and releasing structure of the weightcartridge 1200 and the port 1009 will not be elaborated on here.

According to aspects of the disclosure, when the golfer does not want tohave the monitoring device 201 housed within the golf club 1000, thegolfer may disengage and remove the cartridge 1100 from the port 1009 ofthe golf club head 1001 and engage and secure the weight cartridge 1200with the port 1009 of the golf club head 1001. It is noted thataccording to aspects of the disclosure, the weight cartridge 1100 may beweighted as desired to provide appropriate balancing to the putter-typegolf club head 1001.

Therefore, based on the above disclosure, it is understood that aspectsof the disclosure are directed to a golf club configured to receiveinterchangeable sections or cartridges, wherein one of theinterchangeable cartridges may house the monitoring device 201 and asecond of the interchangeable cartridges does not house the monitoringdevice 201. In this way, the golfer may selectively configure the golfclub to include, or not include, the monitoring device 201 at thegolfer's discretion.

A wide variety of overall club head constructions are possible withoutdeparting from this disclosure. For example, it is noted that thedimensions and/or other characteristics of the golf club heads 1001according to examples of this disclosure may vary significantly withoutdeparting from the disclosure. For example, the above described featuresand configurations may be incorporated into any putter-type club headsincluding, for example: mallet heads, blade-type putters, etc.

For example, FIGS. 16A and 16B show an alternative embodiment of aputter-type golf club according to aspects of the disclosure. FIG. 16Ais an exploded view of an illustrative embodiment of a putter golf clubhead structure according to aspects of the disclosure wherein amonitoring device 201 is used. FIG. 16B is an exploded view of theputter golf club head shown in FIG. 16A wherein the weight cartridge1200 is used instead of the monitoring device 201.

As seen in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the putter-type golf club may include aputter-type golf club head 1301 in accordance with the presentdisclosure. The golf club head 1301 may include a recess configured toreceive the monitoring device 201. For example, the recess may beconfigured to surround and engage the monitoring device 201 in order tosupport and stabilize the monitoring device 201. As seen in FIG. 16A,the recess may be configured in the rear of the golf club head 1301behind the ball striking face of the golf club head 1301. According tothe aspects of the disclosure, the monitoring device 201 may beconfigured to engage with the golf club head 1301 in a variety of ways,such as mechanical fasteners, press fitting, snap fit mechanisms (e.g.,spring loaded protrusions and corresponding detents), threadedfasteners, interference fit configurations etc. The mechanical fastenerscould also include additional fastening mechanisms such as bar membersdimensioned to be placed across the monitoring device 201. Themonitoring device 201 can also engage with the golf club head 1301 viaadhesive members. For example, a double-sided tape could secure themonitoring device 201 in the recess. The adhesive member or double-sidedtape may utilize a low-tack adhesive wherein the monitoring device 201is releasably engageable in the recess. It is further understood thatthe recess shown in the golf club head 1301 could be positioned in otherlocations on the head. For example, the recess could be located in thesole of the golf club head 1301 or further in a top surface or crown ofthe club head 1301. The recess could also be positioned in a heel or toeof the club head 1301. Thus, the monitoring device 201 can be receivedin the recess at these alternative locations on the head 1301.

The golf club head 1301 and the monitoring device 201 may be configuredto provide desirable weight placement in the club head 1301. Forexample, the golf club head 1301, and the monitoring device 201 may beconfigured such that when engaged, the golf club head 1301 is directlybehind the center of the ball striking face of the golf club head 1301.While not illustrative, it is noted that in alternative embodiments, theremovable section 200 may be used to engage the monitoring device withthe golf club head 1301.

As seen in FIG. 16B, aspects of the disclosure, relate to a weightcartridge 1200 which is configured to be engaged with the recess. Theweight cartridge 1200 may be configured similarly to the monitoringdevice 201 described above with the exception that the weight cartridge1200 does not include a monitoring device 201. It is noted that theweight cartridge 1200 may be configured to engage with the recess in thesame manner as the monitoring device 201. Hence, for the sake ofbrevity, the engaging and releasing structure of the weight cartridge1200 and the recess will not be elaborated on here.

FIG. 16C shows an alternative embodiment of a putter-type golf clubaccording to aspects of the disclosure. FIG. 16C is an exploded view ofan illustrative embodiment of a putter golf club head structureaccording to aspects of the disclosure wherein a monitoring device 201is used.

As seen in FIGS. 16C, the putter-type golf club may include aputter-type golf club head 1400 in accordance with the presentdisclosure. The golf club head 1400 may include a recess configured toreceive the monitoring device 201. For example, the recess may beconfigured to surround and engage the monitoring device 201 in order tosupport and stabilize the monitoring device 201. As seen in FIG. 16C,the recess may be configured in the ball striking face of the golf clubhead 1400. According to the aspects of the disclosure, the monitoringdevice 201 may be configured to engage with the golf club head 1400 in avariety of ways, such as mechanical fasteners, press fitting, snap fitmechanisms (e.g., spring loaded protrusions and corresponding detents),threaded fasteners, etc. As further shown in FIG. 16C, a ball strikingface insert 1401 is received in the recess of the golf club head 1400and is positioned over the monitoring device 201.

The golf club head 1400 and the monitoring device 201 may be configuredto provide desirable weight placement in the club head 1400. Forexample, the golf club head 1400 and the monitoring device 201 may beconfigured such that when engaged, the monitoring device 201 isgenerally in a center of the ball striking face of the golf club head1400. While not illustrative, it is noted that in alternativeembodiments, the removable section 200 may be used to engage themonitoring device with the golf club head 1400.

FIG. 16D shows an alternative embodiment of a putter-type golf clubaccording to aspects of the disclosure. FIG. 16D is a view of anillustrative embodiment of a putter golf club head structure accordingto aspects of the disclosure wherein two monitoring devices 201 areused. For example, as seen in FIG. 16, a first monitoring device 201 maybe positioned in a heel of the putter-type golf club head and a secondmonitoring device 201 may be positioned in a toe of the putter-type golfclub head. According to aspects of the disclosure, by using data fromboth the first and second monitoring devices 201, the position of wherethe golf ball impacts the face of the golf club head may be determined.It is noted that while this feature of having two monitoring devices 201in a golf club head is depicted in a putter, this feature is applicableto any type of golf club head, including: wood-type golf club heads,iron-type golf club heads, hybrid-type golf club heads, etc. It isfurther understood that the pair of monitoring devices 201 may bepositioned proximate the face of the club head and proximate the heeland toe of the club head.

FIGS. 16E-G illustrate another alternative embodiment of a putter-typegolf club head according to aspects of the disclosure. This embodimentis similar to the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 16C and similar referencenumerals will be used. The putter golf club head 1400 has a recess 1402that in this particular embodiment extends completely through the golfclub head 1400. The recess 1402 has a first section 1404 and a secondsection 1406. A platform 1405 is defined in the recess 1402. A pair ofthreaded apertures 1408 is defined in the platform 1405. The firstsection 1404 of the recess 1402 opens to a rear of the golf club head1400. In alternative embodiments, a floor may be provided wherein therecess does not extend completely through the club head. A ledge 1410 isdefined at the rear and faces a rear of the first section 1404. Asfurther shown in FIG. 16G, the ball striking face insert 1401 hasthreaded apertures 1412 therein. The monitoring device 201 is insertedinto the recess 1402 and is received by the first section 1404. Themonitoring device 201 abuts against the ledge 1410. The ball strikingface insert 1401 is inserted into the recess 1402 and is received by thesecond section 1406. Fasteners 1414 are inserted into the alignedapertures 1408,1412 to secure the monitoring device 201 and the faceinsert 1401 to the golf club head 1400 (FIG. 16E). It is appreciatedfrom FIGS. 16F and 16G that the monitoring device 201 is sandwichedbetween the ledge 1410 and the face insert 1401. The monitoring device201 is visible from a rear of the golf club head 1400 but can only beremoved from a front of the golf club head 1400 by removing the faceinsert 1401 via the fasteners 1414.

According to aspects of the disclosure, monitoring devices 201 mayinclude one or more sensors configured to detect the impact of the golfball with the golf club head 101. For example, a force sensor, apressure sensor (e.g., a piezoelectric sensor), or the like may beconfigured to detect the location of the impact on the ball strikingface 107 of the golf club head and, further, the force generated fromthe impact. Such data generated from the impact sensors may becommunicated through the monitoring device 201 and, further, transmittedvia the transmitter 203 along with the other data from the other one ormore sensors of the monitoring device 201 described above. Further,according to embodiments of such a disclosure, the data from the impactsensors can be incorporated with data from the above described sensors.For example, the data from the impact sensors can be used to determinevarious characteristics of the golf swing such as described above.Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, by using data from oneor more impact sensors, the position of where the golf ball impacts theface of the golf club head may be determined.

According to aspects of the disclosure, embodiments of the disclosuremay include one or more monitoring devices 201 located in variouspositions throughout the golf club. For example, according to aspects ofthe disclosure, the first and second monitoring devices 201 may bepositioned at or near the ball striking face of the golf club head.However, according to other aspects of the disclosure, embodiments mayhave one or more monitoring devices 201 positioned away from the ballstriking face of the golf club head. For example, in the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 16D, the first and second monitoring devices 201 arepositioned in the rear of the golf club head.

It is noted that in embodiments wherein the sensors are not positionedat the ball striking face, the data determined by sensors may need to bemanipulated or adjusted in order to provide accurate measurements. Forexample, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 16D, because sensors arepositioned in the rear of the golf club head, they may provide data thatis different from data determined by sensors in monitoring devices 201positioned at or near the ball striking face of the golf club head.Therefore, data collected from sensors of the embodiment shown in FIG.16D may be manipulated (e.g., recalculated or otherwise modified) inorder to account from the positioning of the sensors within the rear ofthe golf club head. In this way, the manipulated data can be used todetermine accurate golf metrics, variables and kinematics, such asdescribed above.

It is noted that while the above description of manipulating data iswith respect to a distance from the ball striking face of the golf clubhead, any reference point may be used. Accordingly, the data collectedfrom sensors positioned away from that particular reference point may bemanipulated (e.g., recalculated or otherwise modified) in order toaccount from the positioning of those sensors away from the particularreference point.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the data from sensors may besubjected a transformation matrix which manipulates the data (e.g.,recalculates or modifies the data) in order to account for the exactpositioning of the sensor within the golf club. The transformationmatrix may be a series of calculations which modifies that dataaccording to the exact positioning of the sensor within the golf club.Therefore, it is understood that a different transformation matrix maybe required for each of individual sensors positioned at differentlocations within the golf club. For example, in the embodiment shown inFIG. 16D, a first transformation matrix may be used to calculate dataobtained the first sensor in the heel of the golf club head and asecond, different, transformation matrix may be used to calculate dataobtained the second sensor in the toe of the golf club head.

The transformation matrix may be included in a software package that maybe downloaded to the remote computer 400 to which the data from themonitoring device 201 is transmitted. For example, the software packagemay be available for download from a website. For example, a website mayinclude software packages or applications designed for particular golfclubs of sets of golf clubs. Those software packages may containtransformation matrices designed for the specific positions of sensorsand remote monitoring devices 201 in the respective golf clubs.

Therefore, if a golfer was using a particular putter (e.g., putter A),the golfer could download the particular software package or applicationdesigned for putter A to the remote computer 400. Hence, when data(obtained by the sensors of the remote monitoring device(s) 201 in thatparticular golf club) is transmitted to the remote computer 400, thedownloaded software package or application for that particular golf clubwould recalculate the obtained data and output accurate measurements,golf metrics, variables and kinematics.

According to aspects of the disclosure, a monitoring device 201 maycontain identification codes which allow data transmitted from aparticular monitoring device 201 to synchronize with the remote computer400 used by the golfer. For example, the upon downloading the softwarepackage or application for the particular golf club to the remotecomputer 400, the golfer may manually enter an identification code intothe remote computer 400 to synchronize the monitoring device 201 withthe remote computer 400. Hence, by allowing the particular monitoringdevice 201 to be synchronized with the remote computer 400, themonitoring devices could be interchangeable within various golf clubs.

For example, a golfer may download an application or software packagewhich contains transformation matrices for each golf clubs that a golferowns. By synchronizing the monitoring device(s) 201 in each of the golfclubs (e.g., the monitoring device(s) 201 in each of: a pitching wedge,a sand wedge, a 10-iron, a 9-iron . . . a 3-wood, a driver, etc.), withthe remote computer 400, the remote computer 400 would recognize thedata from a particular monitor device 201 and associate that data withthe respective golf club and, additionally, appropriate location of thesensor within the respective golf club. Hence, using the transformationmatrix for the respective golf club, the remote computer 400 wouldoutput correct measurements, golf metrics, variables and kinematics.Therefore, as demonstrated, provided that the monitoring device(s) 201are synchronized correctly, the monitoring device(s) 201 may beinterchangeable within golf clubs. It is noted that, if desired, theidentification code could be transmitted to the remote computer 400 bythe monitoring device 201 along with the data. In this way, theidentification code would not have entered by the golfer and, instead,the synchronization and coordination of the monitoring device 201 withremote computer 400 could be done automatically.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are an illustrative embodiment of the interior of anembodiment of a monitoring device 201, or general schematic sensorlayout, according to aspects of the disclosure. For example, as seen inFIGS. 17A and B, a monitoring device 201 may include a power source, atransceiver, an accelerometer (e.g., 3-axis accelerometer), one or more:capacitors, diodes, antennas, inductors, resistors, filters, integratedcircuits for controllers (e.g., mixed signal controllers), transceivers,memory and digital motion sensors, voltage regulators, inertialmeasurement units, etc. One of ordinary skill in the art would realizethat modification to, or exclusion of, one or more of the abovecomponents or the inclusion of additional components in monitoringdevice may be used as desired to configure the monitoring device tofunction as described above. Such inclusions, modifications, etc. areconsidered within the scope of the disclosure. FIGS. 18A-D areillustrative embodiments of circuitry of a monitoring device accordingto aspects of the disclosure. It is understood that various componentsas described above can be incorporated into the schematic layouts andcircuitry disclosed herein.

Sensivity Ranges

As discussed above, aspects of the disclosure relate to a monitoringdevice 201 that is configured to measure displacement, position,orientation, velocity, acceleration or other characteristics ofassociated with a golf stroke. According to further aspects of thedisclosure, a monitoring device 201 may be configured to fit in any golfclub of a set of golf clubs in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the disclosure. In other words, a monitoring device 201 according toaspects of the disclosure may be “universal” with respect to the golfclubs in such a set of golf clubs. For example, the monitoring device201 may be configured to fit in a putter of the golf club set, aniron-type golf club of the golf club set and in a wood-type golf club ofthe golf club set.

However, the displacement, velocity, acceleration or othercharacteristics associated with a golf stroke may vary dramaticallydepending on the particular golf stroke. For example, velocity,acceleration or other characteristics associated with a putt may varydramatically from the velocity, acceleration or other characteristicsassociated with the golf swing of a driver or iron.

For example, during a golf swing with a driver, the velocity of the clubhead may be between 0-125 miles per hour (mph) (roughly about 0-56meters per second). In contrast, during a putt with a putter, thevelocity of the club head may be between 0-7 miles per hour (roughly0-3.0 meters per second). Further, during a golf swing with a driver,the angular velocity of the club head may be between 0-3000 degrees persecond (roughly about 0-52 radians per second). In contrast, during aputt with a putter, the angular velocity of the club head may be between0-150 degrees per second (roughly 0-3 radians per second).

Similarly, during a golf swing with a driver, the acceleration of theclub head may be between 0-3000 feet/sec² (roughly about 0-1000 metersper second (m/s²)). In contrast, during a putt with a putter, theacceleration of the club head may be between 0-3000 feet/sec² (roughlyabout 0-15.0 m/s²).

For example, according to an illustrate embodiment, FIGS. 19A-B showgraphically the magnitude of acceleration and angular velocities for atypical putt. As seen in FIGS. 19A-B, the acceleration during a putt maybe 1.1 g (11 m/s²). Further, the angular velocity during a putt may be80 dps (1.5 rad/second). In contrast, FIGS. 19C-D, show graphically themagnitude of acceleration and angular velocities for an illustrativegolf swing with a driver. As seen in FIG. 19C, the acceleration during agolf swing with the driver may be 15 g (150 m/s². Further, the angularvelocity during the golf swing with a driver may be 1500 dps (26rad/second). Hence, it is understood, that as discussed above, velocity,acceleration or other characteristics associated with a putt may varydramatically from the velocity, acceleration or other characteristicsassociated with a golf swing of a driver.

As described above, a monitoring device 201 may include one or moresensors 202 and the sensors 202 may be accelerometers (such aspiezoelectric accelerometers), magnetometers, or gyroscopes which areconfigured to measure a plurality of data including velocity,acceleration, orientation, gravitational forces, etc. Hence, amonitoring device 201 according to aspects of the disclosure may includean Inertial Measuring Unit (IMU) which is one or more sensors (e.g.,accelerometers and/or gyroscopes, or some combination thereof in anexemplary embodiment) that are configured to measure velocity,acceleration, orientation, gravitational forces, etc.

Given the above described disparity in velocity ranges between thedifferent types of golf stroke, it may be difficult for a single IMU toaccurately determine the displacement, velocity and acceleration of theclub during the golf stroke. For example, in order to achieve anaccurate reading of the angular velocity of a putting stroke, an IMUconfigured to measure a putt may be extremely sensitive to small changesin angular velocity, wherein small is relative to the velocity rangesdiscussed above with respect to a putting stroke (e.g., fractions of ameter per second). Similarly, in order to achieve an accurate reading ofthe velocity of a golf swing for an iron-type golf club or a wood-typegolf club, an IMU configured to measure such a golf swing may be lesssensitive to small changes in velocity and able to determine largerchanges in velocity, wherein large is relative to the velocity rangesdiscussed above with respect to a golf swing of an iron-type golf clubor a wood-type golf club (e.g., at least several meters per second).

Similarly, given the disparity in acceleration ranges between thedifferent types of golf stroke, it may be difficult for a single IMU toaccurately determine the acceleration of the club during the golfstroke. For example, in order to achieve an accurate reading of theacceleration of a putting stroke, an IMU configured to measure a puttmay be extremely sensitive to small changes in acceleration, whereinsmall is relative to the acceleration ranges discussed above withrespect to a putting stroke (e.g., 0-15 m/s²). Similarly, in order toachieve an accurate reading of the acceleration of a golf swing for aniron-type golf club or a wood-type golf club, an IMU configured tomeasure such a golf swing may be less sensitive to small changes inacceleration and able to determine larger changes in acceleration,wherein large is relative to the acceleration ranges discussed abovewith respect to a golf swing of an iron-type golf club or a wood-typegolf club (e.g., 0-1000 m/s²).

As aspects of the disclosure are directed to a monitoring device 201which is “universal” with respect to engaging with any of the golf clubsin the golf club set, a monitoring device 201 according to aspects ofthe disclosure may include more than one IMU, wherein each of the IMUsis configured differently in order to accurately measure a particulartype of golf stroke. For example, one of the IMUs may be configured tomeasure angular velocity and/or acceleration and may be extremelysensitive to small changes in velocity and/or acceleration (e.g.,fractions of a meter per second or m/s²). As discussed above, such anIMU may be beneficial in determining characteristics associated with aputting stroke. Further, another of the IMUs may be configured tomeasure velocity and/or acceleration and may be may be less sensitive tosmall changes in velocity and/or acceleration (as compared with thefirst IMU) and able to more accurately determine larger changes invelocity and/or acceleration (e.g., at least several meters per secondor m/s²). As discussed above, such an IMU may be beneficial indetermining characteristics associated with a golf swing for aniron-type golf club or a wood-type golf club.

Therefore, according to aspects of the disclosure a single monitoringdevice 201 may be configured to include a first IMU directed todetermining data associated with a putting stroke and a second IMU,which is different from the first IMU, and is directed to determiningdata associated with a golf swing for an iron-type golf club or awood-type golf club.

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to determining which of the oneor more IMUs to use in collecting data related to the golf stroke. Forexample, aspects of the disclosure are directed to selectively usingdata (e.g., for calculations as will be described below) from the firstIMU instead of the second IMU or the second IMU instead of the first IMUbased on the type of club with which the monitoring device 201 isengaged. Further aspects of the disclosure are directed to receivingdata (related to the golf stroke) collected from each (or more than one)of the IMUs and then determining which of data from the one or more IMUsto use (e.g., for calculations as will be described below) based on thetype of club with which the monitoring device 201 is engaged. Forexample, the data from a particular IMU may be selected for use incalculations and/or for transmission to the remote computer 400 based onthe data received from each of the IMUs and the type of golf club orother information indicated by the data received from each of the IMUs.In this way, the monitoring device 201 may switch between using and/ortransmitting data from a first IMU and a second IMU based on datareceived from both IMUs.

For example, according to one embodiment of the disclosure, themonitoring device 201 may be configured to be engaged with a golf clubof a set of golf clubs which are each configured to receive themonitoring device 201 and the engagement between the monitoring device201 and the particular golf club of the set causes the selection of theappropriate IMU to be used in conjunction with that particular golf clubof the set. In other words, the one or more IMUs that is selected to beused to capture data associated with the golf stroke is determined bythe engagement of the monitoring device 201 with the particular golfclub. Further, in another example wherein data is collected from eachIMU of the golf club, the monitoring device 201 may be configured to beengaged with a golf club of a set of golf clubs which are eachconfigured to receive the monitoring device 201 and the engagementbetween the monitoring device 201 and the particular golf club of theset causes the selection the appropriate IMU from which the data shouldbe used for a particular purpose in conjunction with that particulargolf club of the set. In other words, data from one of the IMUs (andassociated with the golf stroke) is selected to be used for a particularpurpose based on the engagement of the monitoring device 201 with theparticular golf club. For example, while data is collected from both afirst and second IMU, based on the engagement of the monitoring device201 with the particular golf club, data from the first IMU, instead ofthe second IMU may be used for determining angular velocity of the golfswing.

By way of example, the grips of each of the golf clubs in the set ofgolf clubs may be configured to receive the monitoring device 201 in amanner discussed above with regard to FIGS. 8-9. For example, asdiscussed above, according to particular embodiments of the disclosure,monitoring device 201 may be similar to those used in the NIKE+™athletic performance monitoring systems available from NIKE, Inc. ofBeaverton, Oreg. For example, as seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the monitoringdevice 201 may include a generally rectangular compartment which may besimilar to the compartment used to house sensors used in the NIKE+™athletic performance monitoring systems available from NIKE, Inc. ofBeaverton, Oreg. Further, the compartment of the monitoring device 201may house various elements described above, such as the processor 204,sensors 202, transmitter 203, power supply 206, memory, etc. Further, asdescribed above, according to aspects of the disclosure, the monitoringdevice 201 may be configured to engage with the grip 105 of the golfclub. For example, as described with regard to FIG. 8, the grip 105 maybe configured to receive a removable section or cartridge 200 and theremovable section 200 may be configured to receive the monitoring device201.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the engagement between themonitoring device 201 and removable section 200 the particular golf clubmay cause a particular IMU of the monitoring device 201 to beselectively activated. For example, as seen in FIG. 20, in one suchembodiment, the monitoring device 201 may include one or more openings201 o configured to receive one or more protrusions (e.g., prongs) thatextend from the removable section 200 of the particular golf club.According to aspects of the disclosure, a particular IMU of themonitoring device 201 may be activated based on which of the openings inthe monitoring device 201 receive a protrusion of the removable section200.

For example, the monitoring device 201 may include four openings 201 o.Further, as seen in FIG. 21A, a removable section 200 of a putter of theset of golf clubs may have two protrusions 200 p that are configured toengage with the first and second of the four openings 201 o ofmonitoring device 201. When the first and second holes are engaged bythe two protrusions of the a removable section 200 of a putter, a firstIMU of the monitoring device 201 that is configured to measure velocityand/or acceleration associated with a putting stroke (e.g., an IMU thatmay be extremely sensitive to small changes in velocity and/oracceleration (e.g., fractions of a meter per second or m/s²)) may beselected and/or activated.

Conversely, as seen in FIG. 21B, a removable section 200 of an iron-typegolf club or a wood-type golf club of the set of golf clubs may have twoprotrusions that are configured to engage with the third and fourth ofthe four openings 201 o of monitoring device 201. When the third andfourth openings 201 o are engaged by the two protrusions of the aremovable section 200 of the iron-type golf club or the wood-type golfclub, a second IMU of the monitoring device 201 that is configured tomeasure velocity and/or acceleration associated with a golf swing forthe iron-type golf club or the wood-type golf club (e.g., an IMU thatmay be may be less sensitive to small changes in velocity and/oracceleration (as compared with the first IMU) and able to moreaccurately determine larger changes in velocity and/or acceleration(e.g., at least several meters per second or m/s²)) may be activated.

It is noted that in some embodiments, the protrusions of the removablesection 200 may be configured to activate detecting switches withinmonitoring device 201 which cause the processor 204 to determine whichof the IMUs to use. For example, engagement of the protrusions 200 pwith the openings 201 o of the removable section 200 may cause thedetecting switches within the openings 201 o to move from a firstposition to second position. The processor 204 may be configured torecognize this movement and activate either the first or second IMUdepending on which of the detecting switches have been moved.Alternatively, there may be electrical connections made between theprotrusions and the elements (e.g., leads) within the opening openings201 o of the removable section 200. The processor 204 may be configuredto recognize these connections and activate either the first or secondIMU depending on which of the elements are contacted. Of course, suchembodiments are just examples and other methods of selectivelydetermining which of the IMUs to use in capturing data associated withthe golf stroke may be used.

Other embodiments may be implemented as well. For example, while theabove embodiment describes selectively activating either the first orsecond IMU based on the processor 204 being able to recognize movementof the detecting switches or insertion of the protrusions, in otherembodiments, each of the first or second IMU may be already activated,and the processor 204 may be configured to selectively use data fromeach (or more than one) of the IMUs based of the recognition of movementof the detecting switches or insertion of the protrusions. For example,based on the processor's recognition of movement of the detectingswitches or insertion of the protrusions, data from the first IMU may beused for determining angular velocity while data from a second IMU maybe used for other purposes (e.g., confirming velocity is above or belowa predetermined range, determining other characteristics of the golfswing, etc.). In this way, the protrusions, detecting switches, etc. maybe used as an information source for determining aspects of the golfclub and which data from the IMUs to use for predetermined purposes orcalculations (e.g., the processor/firmware may be configured to use datafrom a first IMU instead of a second IMU for determining velocity whendata received from the first IMU and/or the second IMU is within apredetermined range) rather than a physical switching or selectivelyactivating a particular IMU. These features may be used in any of theembodiments described herein.

As seen in FIGS. 21A and 21B, the removable section 200 may include anelongated portion configured to aid in housing the monitoring device201. As described above, the elongated portion may include a firstarched end configured to engage a first rounded end of the compartment,a second arched end configured to engage a second rounded end of thecompartment and a back portion which extends between the first archedportion and the second arched portion and is configured to engage a sideof the compartment. According to aspects of the disclosure, theelongated portion of the removable section 200 may include theprotrusions 200 p. Further, the flat side of the compartment of themonitoring device 201 may be configured to include the openings 201 o.Additionally, or alternatively, one or both of the rounded ends of thecompartment of the monitoring device 201 may be configured to includethe openings 201 o which are configured to receive the protrusions 200 pwhich are positioned on the first arched portion and/or the secondarched portion of the removable section 200.

The protrusions 200 p and openings 201 o may be arranged such that themonitoring device 201 can only be engaged with the removable section inan intended orientation. For example, while the “universal” monitoringdevice 201 may have four holes, the protrusions 200 p on the removablesection 200 and openings 201 o on the monitoring device 201 are arrangedsuch that they will align only when the monitoring device 201 is engagedwith the removable section 200 in the intended orientation.

It is noted that according to other aspects of the disclosure, and asshown in FIG. 9, the grip 105 may be configured to receive and securethe monitoring device 201 directly, without the inclusion of a separateremovable section. As discussed above, the monitoring device 201 may beconfigured to be engaged with the grip 105 in a variety of ways. Forexample, the grip 105 may be configured with an opening at its terminalend that is configured to receive the monitoring device 201. However,regardless of how the monitoring device 201 is engaged with the grip105, the grip 105 itself may be configured with the above discussedprotrusions 200 p configured to engage with the openings 201 o in themonitoring device 201 to selectively determine which of the IMUs of themonitoring device 201 to use in capturing data associated with the golfstroke. For example, the grip 105 may include a slit that is configuredto receive the monitoring device 201 when the monitoring device 201 isinserted into the grip along the monitoring device's longitudinal axis.Further, one or both of the rounded ends of the compartment of themonitoring device 201 may be configured to include the openings 201 owhich are configured to receive the protrusions 200 p and the lower endof the slit may include the one or more protrusions 200 p. Additionally,or alternatively, the protrusions 200 p may positioned on the sides ofthe slit and may be spring loaded, flexible, etc. in order toaccommodate the insertion and removable of the monitoring device 201.

It is noted that while four openings 201 o and four protrusion 200 p arediscussed in the illustrative embodiment, it is clear that anycombination of openings 201 o and protrusions 200 p may be used providedthe combination will sufficiently allow the monitoring device 201 toselectively determine which of the IMUs of the monitoring device 201 touse in capturing data associated with the golf stroke.

Memory Wire

In addition to the above described embodiment which includes protrusionsfor activating detection switches, shape memory alloy may be used aswell. Shape memory alloy is a substance which is configured to return toits original shape upon heating.

RFID Technology

Further, while the above embodiment discussed the structural engagementbetween the monitoring device 201 and the golf club 100 as a means ofallowing the monitoring device 201 to selectively determine which of theIMUs of the monitoring device 201 to use in capturing data associatedwith the golf stroke, other methods and means may be used as well.

For example, as discussed above, according to particular embodiments ofthe disclosure, the monitoring device 201 may also be configured toidentify the particular golf club in which the monitoring device 201 isengaged. For example, golf club 100 may include a chip (e.g., an RFIDchip) which communicates with the monitoring device 201 when themonitoring device 201 is engaged with the golf club 100. This could bethrough direct electrical connection, wireless transmission, etc. Thechip may be configured to indicate to the monitoring device 201 withwhich golf club the monitoring device 201 is engaged. For example, thetransceiver of the monitoring device 201 may be configured to receive or“read” ID data from the chip which indicates which golf club of the golfclub set the monitoring device is engaged. Accordingly, once themonitoring device 201 has determined the golf club with which it isengaged (based on the data provided from the chip), the processor of themonitoring device 201 can selectively chose one of the IMUs of themonitoring device 201 to use to capturing data associated with the golfstroke.

For example, when the monitoring device 201 has received data from thechip (e.g., RFID chip) engaged with golf club, that the golf club is aputter, the processor may select, activate, and/or use the data from afirst IMU of the monitoring device 201 that is configured to measurevelocity and/or acceleration associated with a putting stroke (e.g., anIMU that may be extremely sensitive to small changes in velocity and/oracceleration (e.g., fractions of a meter per second or m/s²)).Conversely, when the monitoring device 201 has received data from thechip (e.g., RFID chip) engaged with golf club, that the golf club is aniron-type golf club or a wood-type golf club, the processor mayselected, activate, and/or use the data from a second IMU of themonitoring device 201 that is configured to measure velocity and/oracceleration associated with a golf swing for the iron-type golf club orthe wood-type golf club (e.g., an IMU that may be may be less sensitiveto small changes in velocity and/or acceleration (as compared with thefirst IMU) and able to more accurately determine larger changes invelocity and/or acceleration (e.g., at least several meters per secondor m/s²)).

Sensor Self-Awareness Based on Speed

Further, while the above embodiments discussed the structural engagementbetween the monitoring device 201 and the golf club 100 or the use of achip (e.g., an RFID chip) as means of allowing the monitoring device 201to selectively determine which of the IMUs of the monitoring device 201to use in capturing data associated with the golf stroke (or selectivelydetermine, from the data collected by each of the IMUs, which IMU's datato use in calculating or transmitting data to the remote computer),other methods and means may be used as well. For example, according toaspects of the disclosure, the monitoring device 201 may be configuredto selectively determine which of the IMUs of the monitoring device 201to use in capturing data associated with the golf stroke (or selectivelydetermine, from the data collected by each of the IMUs, which IMU's datato use in calculating or transmitting data to the remote computer) basedon the movement of the golf club. Further, the monitoring device 201 maybe configured to determine the golf club with which the monitoringdevice 201 has been engaged based on the movement of the golf club.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the processor 204 may beconfigured to receive data from each of the IMUs in the monitoringdevice 201. If the data indicates that a characteristic is above apredetermined value (or within a predetermined range), the processor 204may be configured to use the data from a corresponding, predefined IMUas the determined data and discard the data from the other IMU(s).Conversely, if the data indicates that a characteristic is below thatpredetermined value (or within a predetermined range), the processor 204may be configured to use the data from a second corresponding,predefined IMU as the determined data and discard the data from theother IMU(s).

For example, if the processor 204 receives data from the IMUs whichindicates the club was swung at a velocity that is below a predefinedvalue (e.g., 3 mph), then the processor 204 of the monitoring device 201will assume the golf club with which the monitoring device 201 isengaged is a putter. Therefore, the processor 204 may use the datareceived from a first IMU of the monitoring device 201 that isconfigured to measure velocity and/or acceleration associated with aputting stroke (e.g., an IMU that may be extremely sensitive to smallchanges in velocity and/or acceleration (e.g., fractions of a meter persecond or m/s²)) and discard the data from other IMU(s).

Conversely, if the processor receives data from the IMUs which indicatesthe club was swung at a velocity that is above a predefined value (e.g.,3 mph), then the processor 204 of the monitoring device 201 will assumethe golf club with which the monitoring device 201 is engaged is aniron-type golf club or a wood-type golf club. Therefore, the processor204 may use the data received from a second IMU of the monitoring device201 that is configured to measure velocity and/or accelerationassociated with a golf swing for the iron-type golf club or thewood-type golf club (e.g., an IMU that may be may be less sensitive tosmall changes in velocity and/or acceleration (as compared with thefirst IMU) and able to more accurately determine larger changes invelocity and/or acceleration (e.g., at least several meters per secondor m/s²)) and discard the data from other IMU(s).

According to additional aspects of the disclosure, the processor 204 maybe configured to receive data from each (or more than one) of the IMUsin the monitoring device 201 and compare that data with predeterminedvalues or ranges to determine the data from which IMU to use for aparticular purpose. For example, as discussed above with regard to FIGS.19A and 19B, the acceleration and angular velocity for a putting strokemay be have a particular graphical range or “signature.” Similarly, asdiscussed above with regard to FIGS. 19C and 19D, the acceleration andangular velocity for a golf swing associated with a driver may have aparticular graphical range or “signature.” Such graphical range or“signature” may be stored in a memory which the processor 204 mayaccess. Therefore, in some embodiments of the disclosure, the processor204 may be configured to receive data from each of the IMUs in themonitoring device 201 and compare that data with the stored graphicalranges or “signatures.” If the data matches a particular graphical rangeor “signature” associated with the putting stroke, the processor maydetermine that the swing was a putting stroke and accordingly use datafrom a first IMU in making particular calculations (or transmitting thatdata to the remote computer). Alternatively, if the data matchesparticular graphical range or “signature” associated with a swing of adriver, the processor may determine that the swing was associated with adriver and accordingly use data from a second IMU in making particularcalculations (or transmitting that data to the remote computer). It isnoted that while the above embodiment discusses graphical ranges or“signatures” other data could be used instead (e.g., numerical ranges orvalues may be used as “signatures”). Further, it is noted thattolerances may be incorporated into the comparison of the collected datawith saved values, ranges, “signatures”, etc. such that the collecteddata does not have to match exactly in order for the swing to beidentified. For example, either the processor 204 may be configured toaccount for a predefined tolerance when comparing the data with thesaved values, ranges, “signatures”, etc. or the saved values, ranges,“signatures”, etc. may already include a predefined tolerance.Accordingly, if the receive data from each of the IMUs in the monitoringdevice 201 does not exactly match the signature of a particularpredetermined swing with a predetermined club, but is still within atolerance or predetermined range of the particular predetermined swingwith a particular club, then the monitoring device 201 may be configuredto identify the club with which pending swing was produced as theparticular club associated with the signature.

It is noted that while a swing with a driver and a stroke with a putterare described above, such features (e.g., signatures, predeterminedranges for particular swings, etc.) may be used for any type of golfclub (or other sporting equipment as described below).

If the data indicates that a characteristic is above a predeterminedvalue (or within a predetermined range), the processor 204 may beconfigured to use the data from a corresponding, predefined IMU as thedetermined data (and perhaps discard the data from the other IMU(s)).Conversely, if the data indicates that a characteristic is below thatpredetermined value (or within a predetermined range), the processor 204may be configured to use the data from a second corresponding,predefined IMU as the determined data (and perhaps discard the data fromthe other IMU(s)).

It is noted that the above described aspects of having the processor (orother firmware) receive data from each of the IMUs and then use the datato determine with which type of club the monitoring device 201 isengaged (and thereby determine which of the particular IMU's data to useand/or transmit) may be applied to or used in combination with the otherfeatures in the other embodiments described herein. For example, in theabove described embodiments, which include prongs and detecting switchesto determine with which type of club the monitoring device 201 isengaged, the processor (or other firmware) may still collected data fromeach IMU and then use or transmit such data accordingly. For example,data from each IMU may still be relevant for various characteristics ofthe golf swing and even though data from one IMU is selected fordetermining a particular characteristic based on the above describedmethods, data from other IMUs may still be used for determining othercharacteristics and/or transmitted to the remote device.

The above discussed embodiments do not preclude other means of allowingthe monitoring device 201 to selectively determine which of the IMUs ofthe monitoring device 201 to use in capturing data associated with thegolf stroke. Instead, other methods and means may be used as well.

For example, while the above discussed embodiments describe featureswhich “automatically” determine which of the IMUs of the monitoringdevice 201 to use in capturing data associated with the golf stroke(i.e., without the user taking an affirmative step to manually choosebetween the different IMUs), this should not be interpreted to mean thatembodiments which allow the user to manually determine and select whichof the IMUs of the monitoring device 201 to use in capturing dataassociated with the golf stroke are precluded. Instead, according toaspects of the disclosure, the monitoring device 201 may be configuredto receive instructions from the user to use a particular IMU of themonitoring device 201 to use in capturing data associated with the golfstroke.

For example, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, themonitoring device 201 could include a switch which the user can manuallymove between different positions. Further, the processor 204 of themonitoring device 201 may be configured to interpret the differentpositions of the switch as instruction to use a particular IMU (e.g.,the first IMU instead of the second IMU) in capturing data associatedwith the golf stroke.

Alternatively, the processor 204 of the monitoring device 201 couldreceive instructions from the remote computer 400 discussed above, touse a particular IMU (e.g., the first IMU instead of the second IMU) incapturing data associated with the golf stroke. For example, theparticular IMU (e.g., the first IMU instead of the second IMU) whosedata is collected and used may be chosen by the user affirmativelyinstructing the processor 204 via the remote computer 400.Alternatively, the particular IMU (e.g., the first IMU instead of thesecond IMU) whose data is collected and used may be chosen/dictated bythe particular software application being run by the remote computer. Inother words, a particular software application may require that datafrom first IMU instead of a second IMU to be used to calculate theparticular value (even though data from the second IMU may still becollected and stored or used for other purposes). For example, theapplication directed to determining driver angular velocity may specifythat the processor 204 use data from the first IMU instead of the datafrom the second IMU. It is noted that such instructions could be storedin the memory until the monitoring unit 201 receives other instructionswhich override such instructions.

Voice Commands

Alternatively, the particular IMU (e.g., the first IMU instead of thesecond IMU) whose data is collected and used may be chosen/dictated bythe user through voice commands. For example, the remote computer 400(e.g., a mobile telephone, such as a smart phone as described above) maybe positioned near the golfer when the golfer is preparing to make agolf shot. The remote computer 400 may include a particular softwareapplication that transmits instructions to the processor of themonitoring device 201 to use a particular IMU (e.g., the first IMUinstead of the second IMU) based on the remote computer 400 receiving apredetermined voice command. For example, the remote computer 400 mayhave voice recognition software which interprets the golfer's command of“Driver”, “I am using a driver” of other predetermined phrases as aninstruction to transmit data to the remote computer 400 to use a firstIMU. Further, the remote computer 400 may interpret the golfer's commandof “Putter”, “I am using a putter” of other predetermined phrases as aninstruction to transmit data to the remote computer 400 to use a secondIMU. Alternatively, the golf club 100 itself could be configured to havethe voice recognition software and a microphone for receiving the voicecommands. Hence, in such an embodiment, the golf club 100 itself may bereceive the voice commands and interpret them to activate or use aparticular IMU (e.g., the first IMU instead of the second IMU).

As described in the above discussed embodiments, according to aspects ofthe disclosure, one of the IMUs in the monitoring device 201 is used incapturing data associated with the golf stroke. In some embodiments,this may include receiving data from each IMU in the monitoring device201 and then using or transferring the data collected from only theselected IMU (i.e., selected according to one of the above describedembodiments).

Alternatively, according to aspects of the disclosure, selecting one ofthe IMUs in the monitoring device 201 to be used in capturing dataassociated with the golf stroke includes using and transferring the datacollected from each of the IMUs and then specifying in the datatransmission to the remote computer 400 which data in the transmissionis the data from the selected IMU.

Alternatively, the remote computer 400 may receive the data and beconfigured to determine which data is from the selected IMU.Alternatively, according to aspects of the disclosure, selecting one ofthe IMUs in the monitoring device 201 to be used in capturing dataassociated with the golf stroke includes determining data with only asingle IMU (e.g., the IMU selected according to one of the abovedescribed embodiments) and not determining data with the other IMU(s).For example, the other IMUs may not be activated. Further, it is notedthat various combinations of the above described embodiments ofselecting one of the IMUs in the monitoring device 201 to be used incapturing data associated with the golf stroke may be used.

It is noted that while the measured characteristics described above haverelated to velocity, position, orientation, angular velocity,acceleration and angular acceleration, the above described features arenot limited to measuring these feature and other characteristics of thegolf stroke may be measured as well. Also, it is noted that regardlessof how the IMU in the monitoring device 201 that is to be used incapturing data associated with the golf stroke is selected, once the IMUis selected, data can be determined, processed, transmitted, etc.according to any of the above discussed aspects of the disclosure.

Single IMU with Different Sensitivty Ranges

It is noted that while the above embodiments describe choosing to use aparticular IMU (e.g., a first IMU instead of a second IMU) to collectdata or, alternatively, receiving data from more than one IMU andchoosing to use data from a particular IMU (e.g., a first IMU instead ofa second IMU), other aspects of the disclosure relate to a monitoringdevice 201 which includes an IMU which has more than one sensitivityrange. Therefore, rather than selectively choosing between differentIMUs or between data from different IMUs, aspects of the disclosure aredirected to selectively choosing between different sensitivity ranges ina single IMU. For example, aspects of the disclosure relate to a singleIMU which includes a first sensitivity range configured to measureangular velocity and/or acceleration and may be extremely sensitive tosmall changes in velocity and/or acceleration (e.g., fractions of ameter per second or m/s²). Such a sensitivity range may be beneficial indetermining characteristics associated with a putting stroke. Further,the IMU may include a second sensitivity range configured to measurevelocity and/or acceleration and may be may be less sensitive to smallchanges in velocity and/or acceleration (as compared with the firstsensitivity range) and able to more accurately determine larger changesin velocity and/or acceleration (e.g., at least several meters persecond or m/s²). Such a sensitivity range may be beneficial indetermining characteristics associated with a golf swing for aniron-type golf club or a wood-type golf club. Therefore, according toaspects of the disclosure a single monitoring device 201 may beconfigured to include a first IMU which is both directed to determiningdata associated with a putting stroke and is also directed todetermining data associated with a golf swing for an iron-type golf clubor a wood-type golf club.

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a monitoring device 201 whichis configured to choose a particular sensitivity range (e.g., a firstsensitivity range instead of a second sensitivity range). Any of theabove described methods for choosing to use a particular IMU (e.g., afirst IMU instead of a second IMU) to collect data or, alternatively,receiving data from more than one IMU and choosing to use data from aparticular IMU (e.g., a first IMU instead of a second IMU), may be usedto select the particular sensitivity range (e.g., a first sensitivityrange instead of a second sensitivity range) of the single variable IMU.For example, selecting the particular sensitivity range (e.g., a firstsensitivity range instead of a second sensitivity range) of the singlevariable IMU may be done via the above described: structural engagement(e.g., protrusions 200 p activating detection switches), RFIDtechniques, based on the movement of the golf club (e.g., if thesignature of the current swing matches, or falls within a tolerance of,a predetermined signature stored in a memory), commands from the remotecomputer 400 (e.g., manual commands, such as voice commands, automaticcommands from a software application), manual commands based onactivation of a switch on the club or monitoring device itself, etc.

“Waking Up” Golf Club

According to aspects of the disclosure, the monitoring device 201 may beactivated during insertion of the monitoring device 201 into golf club.Further, the monitoring device 201 may be continuously sensing andcollecting data. However, according to other aspects of the disclosure,the monitoring device 201 may be selectively activated. For example, themonitoring device 201 may be configured to enter a “sleep” or“hibernation” state when the monitoring device has not been active for apredetermined amount of time (e.g., 1 minute, 5 minutes, 1 or 5 secondsafter the monitoring device 201 determines that golf shot is completed(as will be described below), etc.). It is noted that in someembodiments, the IMU of the monitoring device 201 may recognize that thegolf club has been held in an inverted state for a predetermined amountof time (e.g., indicating that the golf club has been placed in the golfbag) and enter a “sleep” or “hibernation” state once that predeterminedamount of time has elapsed. In this “sleep” or “hibernation” state onlythe components needed for determining activation of the monitoringdevice 201 may continue to receive power. In other embodiments of the“sleep” or “hibernation” state, components may receive less power thanthey do in a use state. Further, the monitoring device may beselectively activated manually, or automatically upon the occurrence ofan event (e.g., movement of the club or movement of the club in aparticular fashion, such as a pre-shot routine). Other structures fordetecting “sleep” or “hibernation” may be associated with the golf club100 as well.

For example, in an illustrative embodiment of the disclosure, themovement of the club may act as a trigger to cause the monitoring device201 to exit the “sleep” or “hibernation” state and/or fully activate(i.e., “wake up”). For example, the monitoring device 201 may beconfigured to receive data from the IMUs that the golf club has beenmoved and based on the data exit the “sleep” or “hibernation” stateand/or fully activate (i.e., “wake up”). According to aspects of thedisclosure, the monitoring device 201 may be configured to compare thedata from the IMUs with a predetermined threshold and only exit the“sleep” or “hibernation” state and/or fully activate (i.e., “wake up”)if the data from the IMUs is above the predetermined threshold. Forexample, the data from the IMUs must be above a predetermined angularvelocity or acceleration in order to “wake up” the monitoring device201. In this way, incidental movement (e.g., golf clubs jostling in thegolf bag while being carried) will not “wake up” the monitoring device201.

In an illustrative embodiment of the disclosure, the predeterminedmovement of the club may act as a trigger to cause the monitoring device201 to exit the “sleep” or “hibernation” state and/or fully activate(i.e., “wake up”). For example, as discussed above, the monitoringdevice 201 may be configured to receive data from the IMUs that the golfclub has been moved in a predetermined movement (e.g., a pre-shotroutine) and based on the data, exit the “sleep” or “hibernation” stateand/or fully activate (i.e., “wake up”). According to aspects of thedisclosure, the monitoring device 201 may be configured to compare thedata from the IMUs with a predetermined range(s) or value(s) (e.g., suchas the above discussed graphical or numerical range or signatures whichindicate a driver swing or putting stroke) and only exit the “sleep” or“hibernation” state and/or fully activate (i.e., “wake up”) if the datafrom the IMUs is above the predetermine threshold. For example, thepredetermined range(s) or value(s) may be a “signature” which indicatesa practice swing. Therefore, when the data from the IMUs match (or arewithin a tolerance or the signature) the monitoring device 201 “wakesup”.

In another illustrative embodiment, the user may manually cause themonitoring device 201 to enter to exit the “sleep” or “hibernation”state. For example, the user may use the remote computer 400 (e.g., asmart phone with a software application that configures the smartphoneto receive and transmit data to the monitoring device 201) to cause themonitoring device to enter or to exit the “sleep” or “hibernation”state. This could be done by inputting data to the smartphone (e.g.,voice commands or touching a touch screen) which instructs themonitoring device 201 to enter or to exit the “sleep” or “hibernation”state.

Zeroing

According to aspects of the disclosure, similar methods may be used tocorrelate data to a particular swing and, thereby, indicate individualgolf swings/distinguish between different golf swings. For example, inembodiments where the monitoring device 201 may be activated andcontinually receiving data from the IMUs during the entire time themonitoring device 201 is activated, aspects of the disclosure aredirected to correlating data for a particular golf stroke (e.g., asdistinguished from a practice swing or movement not related to theswing, such as when the club is removed from the bag or being carried tothe location of the shot).

According to particular aspects of the disclosure, the pre-shot routine(e.g., the end of a pre-shot routine) may “zero” the monitoring device201 (i.e., cause the monitoring device 201 to recognize that theupcoming movement is the beginning of an individual golf swing). Forexample, as discussed above, the monitoring device 201 may be configuredto receive data from the IMUs that the golf club has been moved in apredetermined movement, such as pre-shot routine. The monitoring device201 may be configured to recognize the predetermined range(s) orvalue(s) as the “signature” which indicates the pre-shot routine anddetermine that any movement after (or subsequent to a predetermined timeafter) the recognized pre-shot routine is part of golf swing or stroke.Accordingly, only movement of the golf club after (or subsequent to apredetermined time after) the pre-shot routine will be correlated withthe particular golf stroke. In other words, only movement of the golfclub which occurs after the IMUs provide data to the monitoring device201 that the golf club is at rest in the address position after havingcompleted the pre-shot routine will be correlated with the particulargolf stroke.

It is noted that the monitoring device 201 may be configured to accountfor, or include, a predetermined time after the pre-shot routine iscompleted and after the golf swing is completed in determining whichdata is related to the golf swing or stroke. For example, the monitoringdevice 201 may be configured to allow for a predetermined time (e.g., 1or 2 seconds) once the monitoring device 201 has determined that thepre-shot routine has been completed (i.e., the IMUs provide data to themonitoring device 201 that the golf club is at rest in the addressposition after having completed the pre-shot routine) before beginningto associate data with the particular golf stroke. Similarly, themonitoring device 201 may be configured to allow for a predeterminedtime (e.g., 1 or 2 seconds) once the monitoring device 201 hasdetermined that the golf swing or stroke has been completed (i.e., theIMUs provide data to the monitoring device 201 that the golf club hascompleted the stroke (e.g., the follow through of the golf swing orstroke has been completed) as defined by the stored signature of thetypical swing or stroke) before ending the association data with theparticular golf stroke.

In some embodiments, the pre-shot routine may include one or morepractice swings. Further, it is noted that the pre-shot routine may becustomized to the particular golfer. For example, the pre-shot routinemay include one or more “waggles” of the golf club after the one or morepractices swing(s) and prior to the golf club coming to rest in theaddress position after having completed the pre-shot routine dependingon the particular golfer's habits. It is further understood that thepre-shot routine could comprise a combination of practice swings,waggles etc. and also could comprise holding the golf club 100stationary at the address position for a predetermined amount of time.Such information regarding the pre-shot routine may be stored on in themonitoring device. For example, the particular signature of a golfer'spre-shot routine may be stored to the monitoring device 201 (e.g.,uploaded to the memory of the monitoring device 201 via the remotecomputer 400 or the remote computer 400 could instruct the monitoringdevice 201 to record data from the IMU for a particular amount duringwhich the golfer performs the pre-shot routine and then store therecorded data as the signature of the pre-shot routine). According toaspects of the disclosure, a the monitoring device 201 may be configuredto determine a practice swing as a swing whose signature is within aparticular range relative to the signature of an actual swing. Forexample, a practice swing may be defined as a predetermined amount orrange which corresponds to predetermined value (e.g., 70% of the angularvelocity of an actual swing or 70% of the radial length of an actualswing). Alternatively, a practice swing may be defined with its owndigital signature which identifies the swing as a practice swing asdescribed above.

According to some embodiments of the disclosure, the golfer may manuallycorrelate data to a particular swing and, thereby, indicate individualgolf swings/distinguish between different golf swings. For example, thegolfer may activate a switch which “zeros” the monitoring device 201(i.e., cause the monitoring device 201 to recognize that the upcomingmovement is the beginning of an individual golf swing). For example, thegolfer may activate a switch on the golf club itself the transmitsinformation to the monitoring device 201 that causes the monitoringdevice 201 to recognize that the upcoming movement is the beginning ofan individual golf swing. Further, the golfer may activate a switch onthe remote computer 400 (e.g., pressing a button on a smart phone) thatcauses the monitoring device 201 to recognize that the upcoming movementis the beginning of an individual golf swing. Further, the golfer mayuse voice commands to zero the monitoring device 201. For example, theremote computer 400 (e.g., a smart phone) may be configured to receivethe voice commands from the golfer and transmit data to the monitoringdevice which indicates the beginning and end of the golf shot. Forinstance, the remote computer 400 may be configured to interpret thegolfer saying “begin” or “start” as the beginning of the golf shot andtransmit instructions to the remote computer to begin recording datafrom the IMUs or being associating data from the IMUs as a particular,individual golf shot. Conversely, the remote computer 400 may beconfigured to interpret the golfer saying “done” or “end” as the end ofthe golf shot and transmit instructions to the remote computer to stoprecording data from the IMUs or stop associating data from the IMUs as aparticular, individual golf shot. Other structures are possible such assensors located in the grip of the golf club that are configured todetect a squeeze or tightened grip by the user for activation.

In some embodiments of the disclosure impact sensors such as describedabove may be used to determine a recordable golf shot. For example, if aparticular swing has characteristics which resemble both a practiceswing and an actual swing (e.g., above a threshold angular velocity),the monitoring device 201 may be configured to receive data from animpact sensor which indicates whether impact with the golf ball was madeduring the golf swing. In such embodiments, the occurrence of an impactmay serve as validating that the swing should not be interpreted as apractice swing, but instead a particular golf swing for whichcharacteristics of the swing should be measured/determined.

Charging

According to aspects of the disclosure, the monitoring device 201 may beconfigured to be charged. As described above, the monitoring device 201may include a power supply (e.g., a battery). Further, the monitoringdevice 201 may be configured to receive a charging cable which willprovide power to recharge the power supply. In some embodiments, themonitoring device 201 may be configured to receive the charging cablewhile the monitoring device 201 is in the golf club itself. For example,in embodiments where the monitoring device 201 is positioned in theshaft/grip of the golf club, the end of the golf club may be removed andthe charging cable may be hooked into the monitoring device 201.

Alternatively, according to aspects of the disclosure, the monitoringdevice 201 may be configured to be charged via induction charging.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the monitoring device 201 isconfigured to receive information via a charging cable. For example, thecharging cable may be a USB cable which is configured to connect themonitoring device 201 with computer (e.g., the remote computer 400) orother data source. Accordingly, during the connected with the computer,the monitoring device 201 can update firmware, reboot the system, andconduct other diagnostic checks and updates as needed or instructed.

Sensor Orientation Determination

As discussed above, according to aspects of the disclosure, the datafrom sensors in the monitoring device 201 may be subjected atransformation matrix which manipulates the data (e.g., recalculates ormodifies the data) in order to account for the exact positioning of thesensor within the golf club. As discussed, the transformation matrix maybe a series of calculations which modifies that data according to theexact positioning of the sensor within the golf club. Therefore, in anembodiment such as discussed above, wherein the monitoring device 201(which includes the sensors) is positioned in the grip 105 or the shaftof the golf club, the data from the sensors of the monitoring device maybe subjected to a transformation matrix in order to provide feedback tothe golfer.

As discussed above, the transformation matrix may be included in asoftware package that may be downloaded to the remote computer 400 towhich the data from the monitoring device 201 is transmitted.Alternatively, according to some aspects of the disclosure, thetransformation matrix may be included as firmware in the monitoringdevice 201 (e.g., in the memory of the monitoring device). As discussedabove, such transformation matrices may be designed for the specificpositions of sensors and remote monitoring devices 201 in the respectivegolf clubs. Accordingly, if the sensor is not provided in theappropriate location, the feedback may be incorrect. For example, if themonitoring device 201 is inserted into the removable section 200 in anorientation that is different the intended position (e.g., inverted fromthe intended position or backwards to the intend position), the sensorswithin the monitoring device 200 may provide inaccurate data to thetransformation matrix.

Hence, as described above, according to some embodiments of thedisclosure, the grips 105 or the removable section 201 are configuredwith structure that prevents the monitoring device 201 from beinginserted into the removable section 200 or the grip 105 in anorientation other than the intended orientation. However, according toembodiments of the disclosure (e.g., which do not have such structure),when the monitoring device 201 is inserted into the removable section200 in an orientation that is different the intended position, themonitoring device 201 can be configured to recognize the incorrectpositioning of the monitoring device 201. Further, according to aspectsof the disclosure, when the monitoring device 201 recognizes theincorrect positioning of the monitoring device 201, the monitoringdevice may be configured to correct the data by applying an alternatetransformation matrix to the data (e.g., prior to transmitting the datato the remote computer 400).

For example, according to aspects of the disclosure, the memory in themonitoring device may be configured to store a predetermined range ofvalues which correspond to “acceptable” values for the data receivedfrom the sensors when the monitoring device is positioned in the correctposition and orientation. If the processor receives data from thesensors, compares the data with the “acceptable” range of values anddetermines that the data is outside the range of “acceptable” values,the processor 204 may be configured to determine that the monitoringdevice 201 is in an incorrect orientation. Upon recognizing that themonitoring device 201 is positioned in an incorrect orientation, themonitoring device may receive that data and apply a transformationmatrix to the data in order to correct the data.

For example, if the monitoring device 201 is inserted into the removablesection 200 inverted from the intended position, the monitoring device201 may receive data from the one or more sensors, compare the receiveddata with the “acceptable” range of values and determine that the datais outside the range of “acceptable” values. According to aspects of thedisclosure, the processor may then access a transformation matrix fromthe memory, wherein the transformation matrix accounts for the altereddistance of the sensors in the inverted state as compared with theintended positioning of sensors. The process may then apply such atransformation matrix to the data to thereby calculate “correct”feedback (i.e., the corrected data may be used according to the abovedescribed methods for calculations to determine properties andcharacteristics associated with a swing to the user), even though themonitoring device 201 is still in the “incorrect” (e.g., inverted)orientation. Thereafter, in some embodiments the processor may cause thedata to be transmitted to the remote computer 400. Further, according tosome aspects of the disclosure, upon the monitoring device 201recognizing that it is positioned in an “incorrect” orientation, it maysend a message to the remote computer indicating such, in order toprovide notification to the user. This message could be in addition to,or as an alternative to, providing the correct feedback and data fromthe transformation matrix described above.

It is noted that, if desired, the above described correctivetransformation matrix which is configured to account for incorrectpositioning of the sensor(s) may be used in conjunction with thepreviously discussed transformation matrices specific to the individualgolf club which recalculate the obtained data (obtained by the sensorsof the remote monitoring device(s) 201 in that particular golf club) andoutput accurate measurements, golf metrics, variables and kinematics.Further, it is noted that these previously discussed transformationmatrices may also be firmware stored in the monitoring device 201instead of software downloaded onto the remote computer. In this way,feedback may be calculated by the processor 204 in the monitoring device201 and then transmitted to the remote computer 400. Further, suchfeedback could include an identification of the club from which it isbeing transmitted.

Left Vs. Right Hand Golf Clubs

According to aspects of the disclosure, similar features may be used todifferentiate between left handed golf clubs and right handed golfclubs. For example, according to aspects of the disclosure, left handedgolf clubs may have a structure (e.g., a removable section) which isconfigured to receive the monitoring device 201 in a first orientation.In contrast, right handed golf clubs may have a structure (e.g., aremovable section) which is configured to receive the monitoring device201 in a second orientation different from the first orientation of thatfor left handed golf clubs. As described above, when the monitoringdevice 201 is inserted into the removable section in the firstorientation, the monitoring device 201 can be configured to recognizethe first orientation of the monitoring device 201 and determine thatthe golf club is a left handed golf club. Further, when the monitoringdevice 201 is inserted into the removable section in the secondorientation, the monitoring device 201 can be configured to recognizethe second orientation of the monitoring device 201 and determine thatthe golf club is a right handed golf club.

Hence, according to aspects of the disclosure, the monitoring device 201may be configured to distinguish between a right handed golf club and aleft handed golf club. Further, according to aspects of the disclosure,when the monitoring device 201 recognizes the orientation of themonitoring device 201, the monitoring device 201 may be configured tomanipulate the data from the sensors (e.g., by applying a particulartransformation matrix to the data (e.g., prior to transmitting the datato the remote computer 400).

It is noted that, according to aspects of the disclosure, other methodsin which the monitoring device 201 distinguishes between a right handedgolf club and a left handed golf club may be used as well. For example,the protrusions 200 p discussed above could be configured to engage withand activate detection switches which indicate whether the club is righthanded or left handed. Additionally, the RFID methods of identifying aclub may include right handed and left handed information regarding theparticular club.

Grip End Cap

According to aspects of the disclosure, a set of golf clubs which areconfigured to receive and hold a monitoring device (such as monitoringdevice 201 described above) may be configured such that each of the golfclubs in the set secures its respective monitoring device 201 at acommon point respective to each of the golf clubs in the set. Further,according to aspects of the disclosure, each of the golf clubs in theset may be configured to secure its respective monitoring device 201,such that the monitoring device 201 is offset by a specified distancefrom a reference point which is common to each of the golf clubs in theset. The specified distance from the reference point may be identicalfor each of the clubs.

For example, according to an illustrative embodiment of the disclosure,each of the golf clubs in the set may be configured to position themonitoring device 201 such that it is located a distance X (e.g., 20inches) from the center of mass of the respective golf club. The centerof mass of the golf club is the point (e.g., a point in space) whereinthe entire mass of the golf club is concentrated. For a golf club (aswith all rigid bodies), the center of mass is a fixed point in relationto the golf club. In a set of golf clubs, which includes different typesof golf clubs (e.g., a 14 club set of the golf clubs which includesputter, iron-type golf club heads, wood type golf club heads, etc.) thecenter of mass of each of the different golf clubs will be different.Accordingly, in such an embodiment, each golf club in the set may havethe monitoring device 201 secured at a different position along itsrespective shaft, however, the distance between the monitoring device201 in each golf club and the fixed center of mass of each golf clubwould be constant (e.g., 20 inches from the center of mass of therespective golf club).

FIG. 22 illustrates an example set of golf clubs according to aspects ofthe disclosure. As seen in FIG. 22, a shorter club, such as a wedge(e.g., a pitching wedge) 2200 has a center of mass indicated by thepoint 2200 a. Further, the point where the monitoring device 201 islocated is indicated by the point 2200 b. Similarly, a longer club, suchas a hybrid club 2201, has a center of mass indicated by the point 2201a. Further, the point where the monitoring device 201 is located isindicated by the point 2201 b. Also, an even longer club of the set,such as a driver 2202, has a center of mass indicated by the point 2202a. Further, the point where the monitoring device 201 is located isindicated by the point 2202 b. As seen in FIG. 22, the distance betweenthe center of mass for each of the respective clubs and the positioningof monitoring devices 201 for each of the respective clubs is indicatedby the lines drawn between the points. This distance is identical foreach of the clubs 2200, 2201 and 2202.

The above described feature of positioning the monitoring device 201 ineach of the golf clubs in the set such that the monitoring device 201 isoffset by the identical specified distance from a reference point whichis common to each of the golf clubs in the set may be accomplished inmany ways according to aspects of the disclosure. For example, asdescribed above, each of the golf clubs in the set of golf clubs mayinclude a removable section 200 of the type discussed above with regardto FIGS. 8 and 8A that is configured to be engaged with the grip 105 ofthe respective golf club. Further, as discussed above the removablesection 200 may be configured to receive the monitoring device 201wherein according to particular embodiments of the disclosure, themonitoring device 201 may be similar to those used in the NIKE+™athletic performance monitoring systems available from NIKE, Inc. ofBeaverton, Oreg.

As seen in FIGS. 21A and B, the removable section 200 may include acircular portion which forms the top of the shaft and, also, anelongated portion configured to house the monitoring device 201.According to aspects of the disclosure, the elongated portion of theremovable section 200 may include guides to aid in positioning andsecuring the monitoring device 201 within the removable section 200. Itis noted that the removable section 200 may be configured to secure themonitoring device 201 in such a way that the monitoring device 201 doesnot move within the removable section 200. For example, the removablesection 200 may be configured to engage with the monitoring device 201(e.g., a compartment which includes the exterior of the monitoringdevice 201) via press fitting, snap fit mechanisms (e.g., spring loadedprotrusions and corresponding detents), mechanical fasteners, etc. Forexample, the elongated portion may include a first arched end configuredto engage a first rounded end of the compartment, a second arched endconfigured to engage a second rounded end of the compartment and a backportion which extends between the first arched portion and the secondarched portion and is configured to engage a side of the compartment. Inthis way, the removable section 200 may be configured to support andstabilize the monitoring device 201. For example, the elongate portionmay be configured to secure the compartment which may be rectangularwith first and second rounded ends and have a length in the range of1.0-1.5 inches, a width of 0.4-1.0 inches and thickness of 0.2-0.45inches.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the elongate portion of theremovable section 200 may be configured to have a particular length suchthat when the removable section 200 is engaged with the grip of the golfclub, the removable section 200 positions the monitoring device 201within the shaft such that the monitoring device 201 is offset by aspecified distance from a reference point. For example, according to oneembodiment, the elongate portion of the removable section 200 mayinclude the first arched end configured to engage a first rounded end ofthe compartment, the second arched end configured to engage a secondrounded end of the compartment and the back portion which extendsbetween the first arched portion and the second arched portion and isconfigured to engage a side of the compartment, but the first archedend, second arched end and back portion are spaced further away from theround portion of the removable section which forms the end cap. Forexample, the first arched end, second arched end and back portion may bespaced from the round portion by a section of the elongate portion thatextends between the round portion and the upper arched end of the guidefor receiving the monitoring device.

The section of the elongate portion that extends between the roundportion and the upper arched end of the guide may be a particular lengthsuch that when the removable section 200 is engaged with the shaft, ofthe golf club, the removable section 200 positions the monitoring device201 within the shaft such that the monitoring device 201 is offset by aspecified distance from a reference point. Further, as each differentgolf club in the set of golf club has a center of mass that is in adifferent location than the other golf clubs in the set, the removablesection 200 associated with each of the respective, different golf clubsin the set may have to be configured differently in order to ensure thethat the respective monitoring device 201 is positioned within theshaft, such that the monitoring device 201 is offset by a specifieddistance from a reference point. For example, the length of the sectionof the elongate portion that extends between the round portion and theupper arched end of the guide may be a different for each of therespective removable sections 200 in the golf club set in order toensure the that the respective monitoring device 201 is positionedwithin the shaft, such that the monitoring device 201 is offset by aspecified distance from a reference point.

FIG. 23A illustrates embodiments of such removable sections 201. As seenin FIG. 23, according to a particular embodiment of the disclosure, afirst removable section 200 associated with a first golf club of the setof golf clubs may have a first elongate portion that has a first length,while a second removable section 200 associated with a second, differentgolf club of the set of golf clubs may have a second elongate portionthat has a second length which is different (e.g., longer) from thefirst length. Further, as seen in FIG. 23A, according to a particularembodiment of the disclosure, a third removable section 200 associatedwith a third, different golf club of the set of golf clubs may have athird elongate portion that has a third length, which is different(e.g., longer) than the first or second lengths. For example, a shorterclub (e.g., a pitching wedge) may have the removable section 200 withthe elongate portion that has the first length while a longer club(e.g., a long iron or hybrid type golf club) may have the removablesection 200 with the elongate portion that has the second length.Further, an even longer club (e.g., a driver) may have the removablesection 200 with the elongate portion that has the third length. It isnoted that while only three embodiments are shown in FIG. 23A, each ofthe golf clubs in the set could have a removable section 200 with anelongated portion of a different length (e.g., increasing longer as thelength of the club increases) in order to position the monitoring device201 in the correct positioning.

For example, as seen in FIG. 23B, the wedge 2200 (e.g., pitching wedge)may have a removable section 200 with the elongate portion that has thefirst length. The hybrid club 2201 may have a removable section 200 withthe elongate portion that has the second length. The wood-type club 2201(e.g., a driver) may have the removable section 200 with the elongateportion that has the third length. As seen in FIG. 22, the third lengthof the elongate portion of the removable section 200 associated with thewood-type club 2202 is longer than the second length of the elongateportion of the removable section 200 associated with the hybrid 2201.Further, the second length of the elongate portion of the removablesection 200 associated with the hybrid 2201 is longer than the firstlength of the elongate portion of the removable section 200 associatedwith the wedge 2200.

As seen in FIGS. 23A and B, each of the removable sections 201 areconfigured (e.g., the length of the elongate portion of the removablesections is configured) in order to ensure the that the respectivemonitoring device 201 is positioned within the shaft, such that themonitoring device 201 is offset by an identical specified distance froma reference point. In this case, the monitoring devices 201 of thewedge, the hybrid 2201 and the wood-type club 2202 are positioned suchthat they are offset by an identical specified distance from the centerof mass of the respective golf club. While only three club of the setare illustrated, it is understood that similar structures may be appliedto each of the golf clubs in the set. For example, the removable section200 of each of a lob wedge, sand wedge, pitching wedge, 10 iron and 9iron of a set of golf clubs may have an elongated portion of a differentlength (e.g., increasing longer as the length of the club increases) inorder to position the monitoring device 201 in the correct positioning.

According to other embodiments of the disclosure, the removable sections200 may have other structures as well. For example, according to someembodiments of the disclosure, the removable sections 200 may be aself-locating, conical structure in which the monitoring device 201 isreceived. The conical structure may be configured to engage with theinterior of the shaft 103 of the golf club 100 in order to position themonitoring device 201 in the appropriate position within the shaft 103.For example, the multitude of conical removable sections 200 forengagement with the different clubs in a set of golf clubs may be longerand wider (e.g., have an increased diameter) to position the monitoringdevice 201 in the appropriate position within the shaft 103. Accordingto some embodiments of the disclosure, the interior of the golf clubshaft 103 may include a structured (e.g., positioningrecesses/protrusions or ledges) which are configured to engage with theremovable sections 200 and position the monitoring device 201 in theappropriate position within the shaft 103.

While the concept of a set of golf clubs in which each club may beconfigured such that it secures its respective monitoring device 201 ata common point respective to each of the golf clubs in the set (e.g.,such that the monitoring device 201 is offset by an identical specifieddistance from a reference point which is common to each of the golfclubs in the set) has been illustrated with respect to a removablesection 200, it is noted that other means may be used as well.

For example, instead of a removable section configured as describedabove, a plurality of inserts with other structures that hold themonitoring device 201 may be employed to achieve the above describedgoal. For example, one or more of the inserts may each have varyinglengths which are based on the golf club with which the inserts areassociated such that the inserts secures its respective monitoringdevice 201 at a common point respective to each of the golf clubs in theset (e.g., such that the monitoring device 201 is offset by an identicalspecified distance from a reference point which is common to each of thegolf clubs in the set). The particular structure of the group of insertsmay vary provided the group of inserts achieves the above recited goalof securing its respective monitoring device 201 at a common pointrespective to each of the golf clubs in the set.

While the concept of a set of golf clubs in which each club may beconfigured such that it secures its respective monitoring device 201 ata common point respective to each of the golf clubs in the set (e.g.,such that the monitoring device 201 is offset by an identical specifieddistance from a reference point which is common to each of the golfclubs in the set) has been illustrated with respect to removablesections and inserts, it is noted that the grip 105 itself may beconfigured to receive and secure the monitoring device 201 directly,without the inclusion of a separate removable section or cartridge 200.

For example, as discussed with regard to FIG. 9, the grip 105 may beconfigured with an opening at its terminal end that is configured toreceive the monitoring device 201. For example, the grip 105 may includea slit that is configured to receive the monitoring device 201 when themonitoring device 201 is inserted into the grip along the monitoringdevice's longitudinal axis. The slit may be configured to provide atight interference fit with the monitoring device 201. Further, the oneor more of the slits may each have varying depths that are based ontheir respective golf clubs. In this way, the depth of the slits may beconfigured such that each of the slits secures the monitoring device 201it receives at a common point respective to each of the golf clubs inthe set (e.g., such that the monitoring device 201 is offset by anidentical specified distance from a reference point which is common toeach of the golf clubs in the set).

It is noted that monitoring device 201 may be configured to engage withthe grip 105 via other methods as well, including snap fit mechanisms(e.g., spring loaded protrusions and corresponding detents), othermechanical fasteners, etc. provided that the respective monitoringdevices 201 are secured at a common point respective to each of the golfclubs in the set (e.g., such that the monitoring device 201 is offset byan identical specified distance from a reference point which is commonto each of the golf clubs in the set).

It is noted that while the center of mass has been discussed above withrespect to the illustrative embodiments, this is not meant to suggestthat other reference points may be used. On the contrary, other fixedreference points of the golf club, such as the center of gravity of theclub head, the hosel, the top of the grip, etc. may be used as well.

It is noted that by providing a set of golf clubs in which each golfclub secures its respective monitoring device 201 at a common pointrespective to each of the golf clubs in the set (e.g., such that themonitoring device 201 is offset by an identical specified distance froma reference point which is common to each of the golf clubs in the set),the data received from each monitor device 201 can be interpretedrelative to the common reference point. For example, in an embodimentwherein the reference point is the center of mass, each of themonitoring devices 201 in the golf clubs may be offset from the centerof mass of the respective golf club by an identical distance. Hence, incalculating data (e.g., such as when using transformation matrices asdiscussed above) data can be interpreted without having to account for adifferent distance from the center of mass for each club. For example,in some embodiments of the disclosure, formulas and transformationmatrices used to calculate data and provide feedback can be uniformlyapplied for the set of golf clubs.

It is noted that according to aspects of the disclosure, the structureof the golf club and/or the separate removable section or cartridge 200may be configured so that the swing weight of the club may be chosen asdesired. For example, the longer separate removable section or cartridge200 described above may be formed of a material of a lighterweight/density than the shorter separate removable section or cartridge200 described above. Further, the structure of the separate removablesections or cartridges may be varied throughout the set of golf clubs.For example, the longer separate removable sections or cartridges 200may include openings to remove weight and the thickness of shorterseparate removable sections or cartridges 200 may be increased to addweight. In these ways, consistency in the swing weight may be achievedthroughout the set of golf clubs.

Interchangeable Puck for Different Sports Equipment

As discussed above, a monitoring device 201 according to aspects of thedisclosure may be “universal” with respect to the golf clubs in such aset of golf clubs. For example, the monitoring device 201 may beconfigured to fit in a putter of the golf club set, an iron-type golfclub of the golf club set and in a wood-type golf club of the golf clubset. According to further aspects of the disclosure, a monitoring device201 may be “universal” with respect to other sports equipment. Forexample, a monitoring device 201 according to aspects of the disclosuremay be “universal” with respect to the golf clubs, tennis racquets, bats(e.g., baseball, softball, cricket, etc.), hockey sticks (e.g., icehockey, field hockey), lacrosse sticks, etc. Thus, exemplary embodimentsdescribed herein are applicable to any implements that incorporatemonitoring devices etc.

However, the characteristics to be measured for each piece of sportsequipment may vary dramatically. For example, the rotation of the pieceof sports equipment around its longitudinal axis may be more relevant insome sports than in others. For example, the rotation of a golf clubaround its longitudinal axis during a golf swing (e.g., which may beused to provide information about the angle club face throughout theswing) may be more valuable information for the user's feedback than therotation of a baseball bat around its longitudinal axis during a swingof the baseball bat. Similarly, the rotation of a tennis racquet aroundits longitudinal axis during a tennis stroke (e.g., which may provideinformation about the angle of the face of the tennis racquet throughoutthe swing) may be more valuable information for the user's feedback thanthe rotation of a baseball bat around its longitudinal axis during aswing of the baseball bat.

Therefore, aspects of the disclosure are directed to a monitoring device201 (and/or system) that is configured to determine differentcharacteristics of a swing or stroke according on the type of sportsequipment with which the monitoring device 201 is engaged. For example,aspects of the disclosure are directed to a monitoring device 201(and/or system) that is configured with the ability to selectivelycollect particular data based on the type of sports equipment with whichthe monitoring device 201 is engaged. Further, according to aspects ofthe disclosure, the monitoring device 201 may be configured toautomatically determine the type of sports equipment with which themonitoring device 201 is engaged and automatically configure itself toselectively collect particular data based on that type of sportsequipment.

For example, according to aspects of the disclosure, if the monitoringdevice 201 (and/or system) determines that the monitoring device 201 isengaged with a golf club, the monitoring device 201 (and/or system) mayconfigure itself to measure various characteristics, such as angularrotation about the longitudinal axis of the golf club. Further, themonitoring device 201 may configure itself to measure velocity,acceleration, etc. at a first rate (e.g., a first refresh rate). Incontrast, according to aspects of the disclosure, if the monitoringdevice 201 (and/or system) determines that the monitoring device 201 isengaged with a baseball bat, the monitoring device 201 (and/or system)may configure to measure various characteristics that do not includeangular rotation about the longitudinal axis of the baseball bat.Further, the monitoring device 201 may configure to measure velocity,acceleration, etc. at a second rate (e.g., a second refresh rate) whichis different from the first rate used for the golf club. While theseexamples are merely illustrative, it is understood that according toaspects of the disclosure, the monitoring device 201 (and/or system) isconfigured to determine the piece of sports equipment with which themonitoring device 201 is engaged, differentiate that piece of sportsequipment with which the monitoring device 201 is engaged from otherpieces of sports equipment, change the characteristics that themonitoring device 201 will measure and/or the data the monitoring device201 will collect based on the piece of sports equipment with which themonitoring device 201 is engaged.

Further, in addition to changing the characteristics that the monitoringdevice 201 will measure and/or the data the monitoring device 201 willcollect based on the piece of sports equipment with which the monitoringdevice 201 is engaged, other aspects of the disclosure are directed todetermining which of one or more IMUs in the piece of sports equipmentto use in collecting data related to the swing or stroke. For example,aspects of the disclosure are directed to selectively using data (e.g.,for calculations such as described above) from the first IMU instead ofthe second IMU or the second IMU instead of the first IMU based on thetype of sports equipment with which the monitoring device 201 isengaged.

Further aspects of the disclosure are directed to receiving data(related to the stroke or swing) collected from each (or more than one)of the IMUs in the sports equipment and then determining which of datafrom the one or more IMUs to use (e.g., use for calculations as will bedescribed below) based on the type of sports equipment with which themonitoring device 201 is engaged. For example, the data from aparticular IMU may be selected for use in calculations and/or fortransmission to the remote computer 400 based on the data received fromeach of the IMUs and the type of sports equipment or other informationindicated by the data received from each of the IMUs. In this way, themonitoring device 201 may switch between using and/or transmitting datafrom a first IMU and a second IMU based on data received from both IMUs.

It is noted that while the above embodiments describe choosing to use aparticular IMU (e.g., a first IMU instead of a second IMU) to collectdata or, alternatively, receiving data from more than one IMU andchoosing to use data from a particular IMU (e.g., a first IMU instead ofa second IMU), other aspects of the disclosure relate to a monitoringdevice 201 which includes an IMU which has more than one sensitivityrange. Therefore, rather than selectively choosing between differentIMUs or between data from different IMUs, aspects of the disclosure aredirected to selectively choosing between different sensitivity ranges ina single IMU.

For example, aspects of the disclosure relate to a single IMU whichincludes a first sensitivity range configured to measure angularvelocity and/or acceleration and may be extremely sensitive to smallchanges in velocity and/or acceleration (e.g., fractions of a meter persecond or m/s²). Such a sensitivity range may be beneficial indetermining characteristics associated with a particular piece of sportsequipment. Further, the IMU may include a second sensitivity rangeconfigured to measure velocity and/or acceleration and may be may beless sensitive to small changes in velocity and/or acceleration (ascompared with the first sensitivity range) and able to more accuratelydetermine larger changes in velocity and/or acceleration (e.g., at leastseveral meters per second or m/s²). Such a sensitivity range may bebeneficial in determining characteristics associated with a differentpiece of sports equipment. Therefore, according to aspects of thedisclosure a single monitoring device 201 may be configured to include afirst IMU which is both directed to determining data associated with apiece of sports equipment and is also directed to determining dataassociated with a second piece of sports equipment.

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a monitoring device 201 whichis configured to choose a particular sensitivity range (e.g., a firstsensitivity range instead of a second sensitivity range). Any of theabove or below described methods for choosing to use a particular IMU(e.g., a first IMU instead of a second IMU) to collect data or,alternatively, receiving data from more than one IMU and choosing to usedata from a particular IMU (e.g., a first IMU instead of a second IMU),may be used to select the particular sensitivity range (e.g., a firstsensitivity range instead of a second sensitivity range) of the singlevariable IMU. For example, selecting the particular sensitivity range(e.g., a first sensitivity range instead of a second sensitivity range)of the single variable IMU may be done via the above described:structural engagement (e.g., protrusions 200 p activating detectionswitches), RFID techniques, based on the movement of the sportsequipment (e.g., if the signature of the current swing matches, or fallswithin a tolerance of, a predetermined signature stored in a memory),commands from the remote computer 400 (e.g., manual commands, such asvoice commands, automatic commands from a software application), manualcommands based on activation of a switch on the sports equipment ormonitoring device itself, etc. It is noted that, as discussed above, themonitoring device 201 may be engaged with a golf club in any of themanners described above (e.g., removable section 200, other types ofinserts which hold the monitoring device 201, the monitoring device 201may be engaged directly with the grip of the grip club, etc.). Accordingto aspects of the disclosure, and as shown in FIG. 24, the monitoringdevice 201 may be engaged with the handle of a tennis racquet similarlyto any of the manners described above (e.g., a similar removable section200 configured to engage with the handle of the tennis racquet, othertypes of inserts which hold the monitoring device 201, or the monitoringdevice 201 may be engaged directly with the handle of the tennisracquet). Further, according to aspects of the disclosure, and as shownin FIG. 24, the monitoring device 201 may be engaged with the grip of abaseball bat or a hockey or lacrosse stick similarly to any of themanners described above (e.g., a similar removable sections 200configured to engage with the grip of the baseball bat or hockey stick,other types of inserts which hold the monitoring device 201, or themonitoring device 201 may be engaged directly with the grip of thebaseball bat or hockey or lacrosse stick).

Further, as discussed above, aspects of the disclosure relate todetermining the type of sports equipment with which the monitoringdevice 201 is engaged. According to one embodiment of the disclosure,the engagement between the monitoring device 201 and the particularpiece of sports equipment causes the monitoring device 201 to determinethe piece of sports equipment with which the monitoring device 201 isengaged and, further, configure the monitoring device 201 to select theparticular characteristics it will measure and data it will collect.

By way of example, the grips or handles of each of the pieces of sportsequipment (e.g., the golf clubs, tennis racquets, bats, hockey sticks,etc.) may be configured to receive the monitoring device 201 in a mannerdiscussed above with regard to FIGS. 8-9. For example, as discussedabove, according to particular embodiments of the disclosure monitoringdevice 201 may be similar to those used in the NIKE+™ athleticperformance monitoring systems available from NIKE, Inc. of Beaverton,Oreg. For example, as seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the monitoring device 201may include a generally rectangular compartment which may be similar tothe compartment used to house sensors used in the NIKE+™ athleticperformance monitoring systems available from NIKE, Inc. of Beaverton,Oreg. Further the compartment of the monitoring device 201 may housevarious elements described above, such as the processor 204, sensors202, transmitter 203, power supply 206, memory, etc. Further, asdescribed above, according to aspects of the disclosure, the monitoringdevice 201 may be configured to engage with the grip 105 of therespective piece of sports equipment. For example, as described above,the grip 105 may be configured to receive a removable section orcartridge 200 and the removable section 200 may be configured to receivethe monitoring device 201.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the engagement between themonitoring device 201 and removable section 200 the particular piece ofsports equipment may cause the monitoring device 201 to determine thepiece of sports equipment with which the monitoring device 201 has beenengaged and, further, configure the monitoring device 201 to select theparticular characteristics that the monitoring device 201 will measureand the data that monitoring device 201 will collect. For example, theengagement between the monitoring device 201 and removable section 200may cause the monitoring device 201 to selectively activate differentcomponents of the monitoring device 201 (e.g., different IMUs) orcollect data at different rates (e.g., slower or faster data refreshrates).

In one embodiment of the disclosure, the “universal” monitoring device201 may be configured with one or more openings 201 o configured toreceive one or more protrusions 200 p (e.g., prongs) that extend fromthe removable section 200 of the particular piece of sports equipment.According to aspects of the disclosure, the monitoring device 201 basedon which of the openings 201 o in the monitoring device 201 receive aprotrusion 200 p of the removable section 200, the monitoring device 201determines the piece of sports equipment with which the monitoringdevice 201 has been engaged and, further, is configured to select theparticular characteristics it will measure and the data it will collect.

For example, the monitoring device 201 may include have plurality of 201o. Further, a removable section 200 of one piece of sports equipment mayhave a set of protrusions 200 p that are configured to engage with someof the holes of the plurality of openings 201 o of monitoring device201. When that particular combination of opening 201 o is engaged by therespective protrusions 200 p of the removable section 200 of particularpiece of sports equipment, the monitoring device 201 determines thepiece of sports equipment with which the monitoring device 201 has beenengaged and, further, is configured to select the particularcharacteristics it will measure and the data it will collect. Similarly,a removable section 200 of a second, different, piece of sportsequipment may have a different set of protrusions 200 p that areconfigured to engage with some of the openings 201 o of the plurality ofopenings of monitoring device 201. When that particular combination ofopenings 201 o is engaged by the respective protrusions 200 p of theremovable section 200 of second, different piece of sports equipment,the monitoring device 201 determines the second, different piece ofsports equipment with which the monitoring device has 201 been engagedand, further, is configured to select the particular (and potentiallydifferent) characteristics the monitoring device 201 will measure andthe particular (and potentially different) data the monitoring devicewill collect.

FIGS. 25A-C show illustrative removable sections 200 according toaspects of this disclosure. As seen in FIGS. 25A-C, each of theremovable sections 200 may include an elongated portion configured toaid in housing the monitoring device 201. As described above, each ofthe elongate portions may include a first arched end configured toengage a first rounded end of the compartment, a second arched endconfigured to engage a second rounded end of the compartment and a backportion which extends between the first arched portion and the secondarched portion and is configured to engage a side of the compartment ofthe monitoring device 201. According to aspects of the disclosure, theelongated portion of each of the removable section 200 may include theone or more protrusions 200 p. As seen FIG. 25A, the illustrativeremovable section 200T includes a plurality of protrusions 201 p whichare arranged in unique positioning. In this case there are fiveprotrusions 200 p arranged in the unique positioning. It is noted thatthe number of protrusions 200 p and the unique positioning of thoseprotrusions 200 p may be configured such that when engaged with themonitoring device 201, they indicate to the monitoring device to thepiece of sports equipment with which the monitoring device 201 isengaged. For example, the number of protrusions 200 p and the uniquepositioning of those protrusions 200 p in illustrative removable section200T may indicate to the monitoring device 201 that the monitoringdevice 201 is engaged with a tennis racquet.

Similarly, FIGS. 25B-C each show other illustrative removable sections200 with their own respective plurality of protrusions 201 p which arearranged in unique arrangements. For example, as seen in FIG. 25B, theillustrative removable section 200H may include six protrusions 200 parranged in a unique positioning which may indicate to the monitoringdevice 201 that the monitoring device 201 is engaged with a hockeystick. Further, as seen in FIG. 25C, the illustrative removable section200L may include seven protrusions 200 p arranged in a uniquepositioning which may indicate to the monitoring device 201 that themonitoring device 201 is engaged with a lacrosse stick.

FIG. 26 shows an illustrative monitoring device 201 according to aspectsof this disclosure. As seen in FIG. 26, the flat side of the compartmentof the monitoring device 201 may be configured to include the one ormore openings 201 o (which are configured to receive the protrusions 200p. Additionally, or alternatively, one or both of the rounded ends ofthe compartment of the monitoring device 201 may be configured toinclude the openings 201 o which are configured to receive theprotrusions 200 p which are positioned on the first arched portionand/or the second arched portion of the removable section 200.

As seen FIG. 26, the illustrative monitoring device 201 includes aplurality of openings 201 o which are arranged such that the openings201 o can accommodate each of the unique arrangements of the protrusionsof the various removable sections 200. In this example, there are nineopening 201 o which are configured to receive the protrusions of thevarious removable sections 200. Further, as seen in FIG. 26, theopenings 201 o can receive each of the unique arrangements of theprotrusions of the various removable sections 200T, 200H, 200L.

It is noted that these embodiments are merely illustrative and not meantto be limiting. For example, while nine openings and 5-7 protrusions arediscussed in the illustrative embodiments, it is clear that anycombination of openings and protrusions may be used provided thecombination will sufficiently allow the monitoring device 201 toselectively determine the piece of sports equipment with which themonitoring device 201 has been engaged and, further, select theparticular characteristics it will measure and the data it will collect.For example, other protrusions 200 p (e.g., number of protrusions,arrangements of protrusions) and sets of openings 201 o (e.g., number ofopenings, arrangements of openings) may be used in accordance withaspects of the disclosure.

It is noted that in some embodiments, the protrusions of the removablesections 200 may be configured to activate detecting switches withinmonitoring device 201 which cause the processor 204 to determine thepiece of sports equipment with which the monitoring device 201 has beenengaged and, further, is configured to select the particularcharacteristics it will measure and the data it will collect. Forexample, engagement of the protrusions with the openings of theremovable section 200 may cause the detecting switches within theopenings to move from a first position to second position. The processor204 may be configured to recognize this movement and depending on whichof the detecting switches have been moved, determine the piece of sportsequipment with which the monitoring device 201 has been engaged and,further, is select the particular characteristics it will measure andthe data it will collect. Alternatively, there may be electricalconnections made between the protrusions and the elements (e.g., leads)within the opening of the removable section 200. The processor 204 maybe configured to recognize these connections and depending on which ofthe elements are contacted and, thereby, determine the piece of sportsequipment with which the monitoring device 201 has been engaged and,further, select the particular characteristics it will measure and thedata it will collect. Of course, these are just examples and othermethods of selectively determining the piece of sports equipment withwhich the monitoring device 201 has been engaged and, further, selectingthe particular characteristics it will measure and the data it willcollect may be used.

The protrusions and openings may be arranged such that the monitoringdevice 201 can only be engaged with the removable section in an intendedorientation. For example, while the “universal” monitoring device 201may have nine holes, the protrusions on the removable section 200 andholes on the monitoring device 201 are arranged such that they willalign only when the monitoring device 201 is engaged with the removablesection 200 in the intended orientation.

It is noted that as discussed above, according to other aspects of thedisclosure, the grip 105 may be configured to receive and secure themonitoring device 201 directly, without the inclusion of a separateremovable section or cartridge 200. As discussed above, the monitoringdevice 201 may be configured to be engaged with the grip 105 in avariety of ways. For example, the grip 105 may be configured with anopening at its terminal end that is configured to receive the monitoringdevice 201. However, regardless of how the monitoring device 201 isengaged with the grip 105, the grip 105 itself may be configured withthe above discussed protrusions configured to engage with the openingsin the monitoring device 201 to selectively determine the piece ofsports equipment with which the monitoring device 201 has been engagedand, further, select the particular characteristics it will measure andthe data it will collect accordingly. For example, the grip 105 mayinclude a slit that is configured to receive the monitoring device 201when the monitoring device 201 is inserted into the grip along themonitoring device's longitudinal axis. Further, one or both of therounded ends of the compartment of the monitoring device 201 may beconfigured to include the openings which are configured to receive theprotrusions and the lower end of the slit may include the one or moreprotrusions. Additionally, or alternatively, the protrusions maypositioned on the sides of the slit and may be spring loaded, flexible,etc. in order to accommodate the insertion and removable of themonitoring device 201.

In addition to the above described embodiment which includes protrusionsfor activating detection switches, shape memory alloy may be used aswell. Shape memory alloy is substance which is configured to return toits original shape upon heating.

Further, while the above embodiment discussed the structural engagementbetween the monitoring device 201 and the piece of sports equipment as ameans of allowing the monitoring device 201 to selectively determine thepiece of sports equipment with which the monitoring device 201 has beenengaged and, further, select the particular characteristics it willmeasure and the data it will collect, other methods and means may beused as well.

For example, the piece of sports equipment may include a chip (e.g., anRFID chip) which communicates with the monitoring device 201 when themonitoring device 201 is engaged with the piece of sports equipment.This could be through direct electrical connection, wirelesstransmission, etc. The chip may be configured to indicate to themonitoring device 201 with which piece of sports equipment themonitoring device 201 is engaged. For example, the transceiver of themonitoring device 201 may be configured to receive or “read” ID datafrom the chip which indicates which piece of sports equipment themonitoring device 201 is engaged. Accordingly, once the monitoringdevice 201 has determined the piece of sports equipment with which it isengaged (based on the data provided from the chip), the processor 204 ofthe monitoring device 201 can selectively determine the piece of sportsequipment with which the monitoring device 201 has been engaged and,further, select the particular characteristics it will measure and thedata it will collect.

For example, when the monitoring device 201 has received data from thechip (e.g., RFID chip) engaged with golf club, the processor 204 of themonitoring device 201 (and/or system) may configure the monitoringdevice 201 to measure various characteristics, such as angular rotationabout the longitudinal axis of the golf club. Further, the monitoringdevice 201 (and/or system) may configure the monitoring device 201 tomeasure velocity, acceleration, etc. at a first rate (e.g., a firstrefresh rate). In contrast, according to aspects of the disclosure, whenthe monitoring device 201 has received data from the chip (e.g., RFIDchip) that the monitoring device 201 is engaged with a baseball bat, themonitoring device 201 (and/or system) may configure the monitoringdevice 201 to measure various characteristics that do not includeangular rotation about the longitudinal axis of the baseball bat.Further, the monitoring device 201 (and/or system) may configure themonitoring device 201 to measure velocity, acceleration, etc. at asecond rate (e.g., a second refresh rate) which is different from thefirst rate used for the golf club.

Further, while the above referenced embodiments discussed the structuralengagement between the monitoring device 201 and the piece of sportsequipment or the use of a chip (e.g., an RFID chip) as means of allowingthe monitoring device 201 to selectively determine the piece of sportsequipment with which the monitoring device 201 has been engaged and,further, select the particular characteristics it will measure and thedata it will collect, other methods and means may be used as well.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the monitoring device 201 may beconfigured to determine the piece of sports equipment with which themonitoring device 201 has been engaged based on the movement of thepiece of sports equipment. For example, the monitoring device 201 may beconfigured to determine the piece of sports equipment with which themonitoring device 201 has been engaged based on “practice” swings of thepiece of sports equipment.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the processor 204 may beconfigured to receive data from components of the monitoring device 201(e.g., the IMUs in the monitoring device 201). For example, theprocessor 204 may be configured to receive data from an accelerometer,gyroscope, etc. which indicates the orientation of the piece of sportsequipment, the velocity or acceleration of the sports equipment, etc.According to aspects of the disclosure, based on this data, themonitoring device 201 may be configured to determine the piece of sportsequipment with which the monitoring device 201 has been engaged andfurther, select the particular characteristics it will measure and thedata it will collect.

For example, if the data indicates that a characteristic is above apredetermined value (or within a predetermined range), the processor 204may determine the piece of sports equipment with which the monitoringdevice 201 has been engaged is a first type of sports equipment andfurther, select the particular characteristics it will measure and thedata it will collect accordingly. Further, if the data indicates that acharacteristic is below a predetermined value (or within a predeterminedrange or non-existent), the processor may determine the piece of sportsequipment with which the monitoring device 201 has been engaged is asecond type of sports equipment and further, select the particularcharacteristics it will measure and the data it will collectaccordingly.

For example, if the processor receives data from the IMUs whichindicates the piece of sports equipment was swung in a particularorientation or swing path, then the processor 204 of the monitoringdevice 201 will assume the piece of sports equipment with which themonitoring device 201 is engaged is a piece of sports equipment thatcorresponds to such an orientation or swing path. For example, it isnoted that orientation and/or swing path profiles for each of respectivepieces of sports equipment (e.g., golf clubs, tennis racquets, bats,hockey sticks, etc.) may be saved in memory and as accessible by theprocessor 204. Therefore, the processor of the monitoring device 201 maycompare the measured orientation or swing path with the savedorientations or swing path profiles in the memory and determine whichpiece of sports equipment the monitoring device 201 is engaged with bymatching (or by substantially matching) the measured characteristicswith one of the saved profiles. Hence, thereafter, the monitoring device201 may select the particular characteristics it will measure and thedata it will collect accordingly.

For example, FIGS. 27A and 27B illustrate swing paths for a golf swingand the swing of a baseball bat, respectively. As seen by comparingthese swings, they each have different swing paths and orientationsthroughout the swing. For example, the swing of the baseball bat has anorientation that is relatively horizontal through the middle of theswing path. In contrast the golf swing has an orientation that isrelatively vertical through the middle of the swing path. Such dataregarding the orientation of the piece of sports equipment throughoutthe swing path or a portion of the swing path may be determined by thesensors of the monitoring device 201, and then used by the monitoringdevice 201 to determine the piece of sports equipment with which themonitoring device is engaged in a manner such as discussed above (e.g.,comparing the measured characteristics with the saved profiles).

It is noted that in addition to the saved orientations or swing pathprofiles, velocity and acceleration (and other characteristics) profilesfor each of respective pieces of sports equipment (e.g., golf clubs,tennis racquets, bats, hockey sticks, etc.) may be saved in memory andaccessible by the processor 204 as well. In this way, such data can alsobe used to determine the piece of sports equipment with which themonitoring device 201 is engaged with accordingly. For example, theprocessor of the monitoring device 201 may compare the measured velocityand acceleration (and other characteristics) with the saved velocity andacceleration (and other characteristic) profiles in the memory. Forexample, the processor may determine if the measured velocity,acceleration (and/or other characteristic) is within a predeterminedrange of a saved profile. The results of the comparison (e.g., if it is,or is not, within a particular profile) may at least aid in determiningthe piece of sports equipment with which the monitoring device 201 isengaged. Hence, thereafter, the monitoring device 201 may select theparticular characteristics it will measure and the data it will collect.

Similarly, according to additional aspects of the disclosure, theprocessor 204 may be configured to receive data from each (or more thanone) of the IMUs in the monitoring device 201 and compare that data withpredetermined values or ranges to determine the data from which IMU touse for a particular purpose. For example, as discussed above withregard to putting and driver signatures in FIGS. 19A-19D, theacceleration and angular velocity for other pieces of sports equipmentmay have particular graphical ranges or “signatures.” Such graphicalranges or “signatures” may be stored in a memory which the processor 204may access. Therefore, in some embodiments of the disclosure, theprocessor 204 may be configured to receive data from each (or more thanone) of the IMUs in the monitoring device 201 and compare that data withthe stored graphical ranges or “signatures.” If the data matches aparticular graphical range or “signature” associated with a first typeof sports equipment, the processor may determine that the swing was thefirst type of sports equipment and accordingly use data from a first IMUin making particular calculations (or transmitting that data to theremote computer) or select the particular characteristics the monitoringdevice 201 will measure and the data it will collect. Alternatively, ifthe data matches a particular graphical range or “signature” associatedwith a second type of sports equipment, the processor may determine thatthe swing was associated with the second type of sports equipment andaccordingly use data from a second IMU in making particular calculations(or transmitting that data to the remote computer) or select theparticular characteristics the monitoring device 201 will measure andthe data it will collect. It is noted that while the above embodimentdiscusses graphical ranges or “signatures” other data could be usedinstead (e.g., numerical ranges or signatures). Further, it is notedthat tolerances may be incorporated into the comparison of the collecteddata with saved values, ranges, “signatures”, etc. such that thecollected data does not have to match exactly in order for the type ofsports equipment to be identified. For example, either the processor 204may be configured to account for a predefined tolerance when comparingthe data with the saved values, ranges, “signatures”, etc. or the savedvalues, ranges, “signatures”, etc. may already include a predefinedtolerance. Accordingly, if the receive data from each of the IMUs in themonitoring device 201 does not exactly match the signature of aparticular predetermined swing with a predetermined piece of sportsequipment, but is still within a tolerance or predetermined range of theparticular predetermined swing with a particular piece of sportsequipment, then the monitoring device 201 may be configured to identifythe piece of sports equipment with which pending swing was produced asthe particular piece of sports equipment associated with the signature.

If the data indicates that a characteristic is above a predeterminedvalue (or within a predetermined range), the processor 204 may beconfigured to use the data from a corresponding, predefined IMU as thedetermined data (and perhaps discard the data from the other IMU(s)).Conversely, if the data indicates that a characteristic is below thatpredetermined value (or within a predetermined range), the processor 204may be configured to use the data from a second corresponding,predefined IMU as the determined data (and perhaps discard the data fromthe other IMU(s)).

It is noted that the above described aspects of having the processor (orother firmware) receive data from each (or more than one) of the IMUsand then use the data to determine with which type of sports equipmentthe monitoring device 201 is engaged (and thereby determine which of theparticular IMU's data to use and/or transmit or select the particularcharacteristics the monitoring device 201 will measure and the data itwill collect) may be applied to or used in combination with the otherfeatures in the other embodiments described herein. For example, in theabove described embodiments, which include prongs and detecting switchesto determine with which type of club the monitoring device 201 isengaged, the processor (or other firmware) may still collect data fromeach IMU and then use or transmit such data accordingly. For example,data from each IMU may still be relevant for various characteristics ofthe golf swing and even though data from one IMU is selected fordetermining a particular characteristic based on the above describedmethods, data from other IMUs may still be used for determining othercharacteristics and/or transmitted to the remote device.

The above discussed embodiments do not preclude other means of allowingthe monitoring device 201 to selectively determine the piece of sportsequipment with which the monitoring device 201 has been engaged and,further, select the particular characteristics it will measure and thedata it will collect. Other methods and means may be used as well.

For example, while the above discussed embodiments describe featureswhich “automatically” determine which of pieces of sports equipment themonitoring device 201 is engaged (i.e., without the user taking anaffirmative step to manually choose between the different pieces ofsports equipment), this should not be interpreted to mean thatembodiments which allow the user to manually determine which piece ofsports equipment the monitoring device 201 is engaged with and manuallyconfigure the monitoring device 201 to measure particularcharacteristics and collect particular data accordingly are precluded.Instead, according to aspects of the disclosure, the monitoring device201 may be configured to receive instructions from the user as to whichpiece of sports equipment it is engaged. For example, according to anembodiment of the disclosure, the monitoring device 201 could include aswitch which the user can manually move between different positions.Further, the processor 204 of the monitoring device 201 could beconfigured to interpret the different positions of the switch asinstructions as to which piece of sports equipment it is engaged.

Alternatively, the processor 204 of the monitoring device 201 couldreceive instructions from the remote computer 400 discussed above, as tothe piece of sports equipment with which it is engaged. It is noted thatsuch instructions could be stored in the memory until the monitoringunit 201 receives other instructions which override such instructions.For example, the particular piece of sports equipment or a particularIMU (e.g., the first IMU instead of the second IMU) whose data iscollected and used may be chosen by the user affirmatively instructingthe processor 204 via the remote computer 400. Alternatively, particularpiece of sports equipment or a particular IMU whose data is collectedand used may be chosen/dictated by the particular software applicationbeing run by the remote computer. In other words, a particular softwareapplication may choose which data or characteristics of the sportsequipment is to be measured and/or require that data from first IMUinstead of a second IMU to be used to calculate the particular value(even though data from the second IMU may still be collected and storedor used for other purposes). For example, the application directed todetermining bat speed may specify that the processor 204 use data fromthe first IMU instead of the data from the second IMU.

Alternatively, the particular IMU (e.g., the first IMU instead of thesecond IMU) whose data is collected and used, the piece of sportsequipment with which the monitoring device 201 is engaged/the particularcharacteristics of the swing or stroke to be measured (e.g., based onthe type of sports equipment) may be chosen/dictated by the user throughvoice commands. For example, the remote computer 400 (e.g., a mobiletelephone, such as a smart phone as described above) may be positionednear the user when the user is preparing to make a swing or stroke. Theremote computer 400 may include a particular software application thattransmits instructions to the processor of the monitoring device to usea particular IMU (e.g., the first IMU instead of the second IMU),identify the type of sports equipment with which the monitoring deviceis engaged and/or measure particular characteristics of the swing orstoke based on the remote computer 400 receiving a predetermined voicecommand. For example, the remote computer 400 may have voice recognitionsoftware which interprets the use's command of “baseball bat”, “measurebaseball bat speed” of other predetermined phrases as an instruction totransmit data to the remote computer 400 to use a first IMU or identifythe type of sports equipment with which the monitoring device is engagedas a baseball bat and/or measure particular characteristics of the swing(e.g., bat speed). Similar embodiments and phrases may be used for othersports equipment, characteristics, or IMUs. Alternatively, the sportsequipment itself could be configured to have the voice recognitionsoftware and a microphone for receiving the voice commands. Hence, insuch an embodiment, the sports equipment itself may be receive the voicecommands and interpret them to use a particular IMU or identify the typeof sports equipment with which the monitoring device is engaged and/ormeasure particular characteristics of the swing or stroke.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the remote computer 400 may beconfigured to receive data from the monitoring device 201 and thenassociate the data with a particular piece of sports equipment (e.g., bycomparing the received data from the monitoring device 201 with swingpath, orientation, velocity, acceleration, etc. profiles that are storedon the remote computer similarly to as discussed above). Alternatively,as discussed above, according to aspects of the disclosure, themonitoring device 201 may capture the data associated with the swing andtransfer the data collected wherein the data transmission to the remotecomputer 400 specifies to which piece of sports equipment the data inthe transmission relates (e.g., wherein the piece of sporting equipmentis selected according to one of the above described embodiments).Further, it is noted that various combinations of the above describedembodiments of determining the piece of sports equipment with which themonitoring device 201 has been engaged and, further, selecting theparticular characteristics the monitoring device 201 will measure andthe data the monitoring device 201 will collect may be used.

It is noted that while the measured characteristics described above haverelated to rotation, orientation, swing path, velocity, angularvelocity, acceleration and angular acceleration, etc. the abovedescribed features are not limited to measuring these feature and othercharacteristics of the swing may be measured as well. Also, it is notedthat regardless of how the piece of sports equipment with which themonitoring device 201 has been engaged is selected, once the piece ofsports equipment with which the monitoring device 201 has been engagedis selected, data can be determined, processed, transmitted, etc.according to any of the above discussed aspects of the disclosure.

According to aspects of the disclosure, the monitoring device 201 may beactivated during insertion of the monitoring device 201 into sportsequipment. Further, the monitoring device 201 may be continuouslysensing and collecting data. However, according to other aspects of thedisclosure, the monitoring device 201 may be selectively activated. Forexample, the monitoring device 201 may be configured to enter a “sleep”or “hibernation” state when the monitoring device has not been activefor a predetermined amount of time (e.g., 1 minute, 5 minutes, 1 or 5seconds after the monitoring device 201 determines that swing or strokeis completed (as will be described below), etc.). In this “sleep” or“hibernation” state only the components needed for determiningactivation of the monitoring device 201 may continue to receive power.In other embodiments of the “sleep” or “hibernation” state, componentsmay receive less power than they do in a use state. Further, themonitoring device 201 may be selectively activated manually, orautomatically upon the occurrence of an event (e.g., movement of thesports equipment or movement of the sports equipment in a particularfashion).

For example, in an illustrative embodiment of the disclosure, themovement of the sports equipment may act as a trigger to cause themonitoring device 201 to exit the “sleep” or “hibernation” state and/orfully activate (i.e., “wake up”). For example, the monitoring device 201may be configured to receive data from the IMUs that the sportsequipment has been moved and based on the data exit the “sleep” or“hibernation” state and/or fully activate (i.e., “wake up”). Accordingto aspects of the disclosure, the monitoring device 201 may beconfigured compare the data from the IMUs with a predetermined thresholdand only exit the “sleep” or “hibernation” state and/or fully activate(i.e., “wake up”) if the data from the IMUs is above the predeterminethreshold. For example, the data from the IMUs must be above apredetermined angular velocity or acceleration in order to “wake up” themonitoring device 201. In this way, incidental movement will not “wakeup” the monitoring device 201.

In an illustrative embodiment of the disclosure, the predeterminedmovement of the sports equipment may act as a trigger to cause themonitoring device 201 to exit the “sleep” or “hibernation” state and/orfully activate (i.e., “wake up”). According to aspects of thedisclosure, the monitoring device 201 may be configured compare the datafrom the IMUs with a predetermined range(s) or value(s) (e.g., such asthe above discussed graphical or numerical range or signatures whichindicate a stroke or swing of the piece of sports equipment) and onlyexit the “sleep” or “hibernation” state and/or fully activate (i.e.,“wake up”) if the data from the IMUs is above the predeterminedthreshold. For example, the predetermined range(s) or value(s) mayindicate be a “signature” which indicates a practice swing. Therefore,when the data from the IMUs match (or are within a tolerance or thesignature) the monitoring device 201 “wakes up”.

In another illustrative embodiment, the user may manually cause themonitoring device 201 to enter to exit the “sleep” or “hibernation”state. For example, the user may use the remote computer 400 (e.g., asmart phone with a software application that configure the smartphone toreceive and transmit data to the monitoring device 201) to cause themonitoring device to enter to exit the “sleep” or “hibernation” state.This could be done by inputting data to the smartphone (e.g., voicecommands or touching a touch screen) which instructs the monitoringdevice 201 to enter to exit the “sleep” or “hibernation” state.

According to aspects of the disclosure, similar methods may be used tocorrelate data to a particular swing and, thereby, indicate individualswings/distinguish between different swings. For example, in embodimentswhere the monitoring device 201 may be activated and continuallyreceiving data from the IMUs during the entire time the monitoringdevice 201 is activated, aspects of the disclosure are directed tocorrelating data for a particular swing (e.g., as distinguished from apractice swing or movement not related to the swing, such as when thesports equipment is being carried to the location of the swing).

According to particular aspects of the disclosure, the pre-shot routinemay “zero” the monitoring device 201 (i.e., cause the monitoring device201 to recognize that the upcoming movement is the beginning of anindividual swing). For example, as discussed above, the monitoringdevice 201 may be configured to receive data from the IMUs that thesports equipment has been moved in a predetermined movement. Themonitoring device 201 may be configured to recognize the predeterminedrange(s) or value(s) as the “signature” which indicates thepredetermined movement and determine that any movement after therecognized predetermined movement is part of swing or stroke.Accordingly, only movement of the sports equipment after thepredetermined movement will be correlated with the particular swing orstroke. In other words, only movement of the golf club which occursafter the IMUs provide data to the monitoring device 201 that the sportsequipment is at rest in the ready position after having completed thepredetermined movement will be correlated with the particular swing orstroke.

It is noted that the monitoring device 201 may be configured to accountfor, or include, a predetermined time after the predetermined movementis completed and after the swing is completed in determining which datais related to the swing or stroke. For example, the monitoring device201 may be configured to allow for a predetermined time (e.g., 1 or 2seconds) once the monitoring device 201 has determined that thepredetermined movement has been completed (i.e., the IMUs provide datato the monitoring device 201 that the sports equipment is at rest in theready position after having completed the predetermined movement) beforebeginning to associate data with the particular stroke. Similarly, themonitoring device 201 may be configured to allow for a predeterminedtime (e.g., 1 or 2 seconds) once the monitoring device 201 hasdetermined that the swing or stroke has been completed (i.e., the IMUsprovide data to the monitoring device 201 that the sports equipment hascompleted the stroke (e.g., the follow through of the swing or strokehas been completed) as defined by the stored signature of the typicalswing or stroke) before ending the association data with the particularstroke.

In some embodiments, the predetermined movement may include one or morepractice swings. Further, it is noted that the predetermined movementmay be customized to the particular user. For example, the predeterminedmovement may include one or more practices swing(s) prior to the sportsequipment coming to rest in the ready position after having completedthe predetermined movement depending on the particular user's habits.Such information regarding the predetermined movement may be stored onin the monitoring device 201. For example, the particular signature of auser's predetermined movement of the sports equipment may be stored tothe monitoring device 201 (e.g., uploaded to the memory of themonitoring device 201 via the remote computer 400 or the remote computer400 could instruct the monitoring device 201 to record data from the IMUfor a particular amount during which the user performs the predeterminedmovement of the sports equipment and then store the recorded data as thesignature of the predetermined movement of the sports equipment).According to aspects of the disclosure, the monitoring device 201 may beconfigured to determine a practice swing and a swing whose signature iswithin a particular range relative to the signature of an actual swing.For example, a practice swing may be defined as a predetermined amountor range which corresponds to predetermined value (e.g., 70% of theangular velocity of an actual swing or 70% of the radial length of anactual swing). Alternatively, a practice swing may be defined with itsown digital signature which identifies the swing as a practice swing asdescribed above.

According to some embodiments of the disclosure, the user may manuallycorrelate data to a particular swing and, thereby, indicate individualswings/distinguish between different swings. For example, the golfer mayactivate a switch which “zeros” the monitoring device 201 (i.e., causethe monitoring device 201 to recognize that the upcoming movement is thebeginning of an individual swing). For example, the user may activate aswitch on the sports equipment itself that transmits information to themonitoring device 201 that causes the monitoring device 201 to recognizethat the upcoming movement is the beginning of an individual swing.Further, the user may activate a switch on the remote computer 400(e.g., pressing a button on a smart phone) that causes the monitoringdevice 201 to recognize that the upcoming movement is the beginning ofan individual swing. Further, the golfer may use voice commands to zerothe monitoring device 201. For example, the remote computer 400 (e.g., asmart phone) may be configured to receive the voice commands from theuser and transmit data to the monitoring device which indicates thebeginning and end of the shot. For instance, the remote computer 400 maybe configured to interpret the user saying “begin” or “start” as thebeginning of the swing and transmit instructions to the remote computerto begin recording data from the IMUs or being associating data from theIMUs as a particular, individual swing. Conversely, the remote computer400 may be configured to interpret the user saying “done” or “end” asthe end of the swing and transmit instructions to the monitoring deviceto stop recording data from the IMUs or stop associating data from theIMUs as a particular, individual swing.

In some embodiments of the disclosure impact sensors such as describedabove may be used to determine a recordable swing. For example, if aparticular swing has characteristics which resemble both a practiceswing and an actual swing (e.g., above a threshold angular velocity),the monitoring device 201 may be configured to receive data from animpact sensor which indicates whether impact with the object (e.g., abaseball, tennis ball, etc.) was made during the swing. In suchembodiments, the occurrence of an impact may serve as validating thatthe swing should not be interpreted as a practice swing, but instead aparticular swing for which characteristics of the swing should bemeasured/determined.

Product/Strategy to Improve Performance Recommendations

As discussed above, according to aspects of the disclosure, datacollected from the above described system and metrics determined by theabove described system may be uploaded to a network. For example, suchdata may be uploaded to a network which can interpret the received dataand provide recommendations to the golfer. For example, in someembodiments of the disclosure, the collected data and determined metricsmay be uploaded to a network which can compare the data and metrics witha predefined set of characteristics in order to recommend products whichwill aid the golfer in improving various aspects of their games.

By way of example, swing speed data determined by the monitoring device201 may be uploaded to such a network system. Further, data on shaft ofthe golf club from which the swing speed data was taken (as identifiedby one of the above described methods) may also be uploaded to such anetwork system. The network system may include a database which storesdata on swing speeds and a database which stores data on a plurality ofshaft stiffnesses. Further, the database may store tables whichcorrelate various swing speeds with ideal shaft stiffness for such swingspeeds. For example, the table may correlate a first shaft stiffness fora swing speed of 90 mph, and a second shaft stiffness for a swing speedof 125 mph. The system may be configured to determine whether the shaftused for the golf swing is the type of shaft the table considers theideal shaft for the determined swing speed. If the system determinesthat the shaft is not the ideal shaft based on the table data, thesystem may send a message to the remote computer 400 of the golfer whichrecommends the ideal shaft based on the table data. For example, if datauploaded to the network showed that the swing speed determined by themonitoring device 201 was 125 mph and a golfer using the first shaftstiffness, then the system would send a message to the remote computerrecommending the golfer use a shaft with the second shaft stiffnessbecause their golf swing speed was 125 mph. In this way, the systemcould aid in improving the golfer's game by providing recommendationsregarding the appropriate equipment based on the golfers swing. Whilethe above described example, discusses swing speed and shaft stiffness,it is understood that various other characteristics and products mayalso be used.

Further, in addition to recommending products to improve the golfer'sswing, according to aspects of the disclosure, the system may alsorecommend strategies to correct the golfers swing directly. For example,the monitoring device 201 could provide rotation data for the club whichshows the angle of club face at the point of impact with the golf ball.Further, the network system may include a database which stores datacorrelating the angle of the club face at the point of impact with thegolf ball with the profiled of golf shots (e.g., slices and hooks). Ifdata uploaded to the network showed that the angle of the club face wasopen as impact, then the system would send a message to the remotecomputer 400 recommending the golfer adjust their swing to close theclub face at the point of impact. In this way, the system could aid inimproving the golfer's game by providing recommendations correcting thegolfer's swing. While the above described example, discusses angle ofthe club face at impact with the golf ball, it is understood thatvarious other characteristics and strategies may also be used.

Further, the system may also provide coaching to correct the golfer'sswing. For example, as described above, the monitoring device 201 couldprovide data for the club which indicates the swing path of the golfswing. If data uploaded to the network showed that the swing patch wasproducing a “sliced” or a “hooked” golf shot, then the system would sendinstructions to the remote computer 400 describing how the golfer mayadjust their swing to correct the slice or hook. For example, the systemcould provide coaching videos in which coaches provide instructions anddescribe methods for correcting a slice or hook. Additionally, when thegolfer completes a first video, the system may register the completionof the video and provide additional videos (e.g., more advancedcorrection techniques). Further, the system could provide drills whichthe golfer can use to correct a slice or hook. Additionally, when thegolfer completes a drill, the golfer may communicate completion of thedrill to the system and the system may provide additional drills (e.g.,more advanced correction drills). Alternatively, the remote computer maybe configured to determine when the golfer has completed the drillsthrough the data received from the monitoring device 201. Accordingly,the remote computer 400 may be configured to automatically communicatecompletion of the drill to the system and the system may provideadditional drills (e.g., more advanced correction drills).

While the above described examples discuss the angle of the club face atimpact with the golf ball and swing path of the golf swing, it isunderstood that various other characteristics and strategies may also beused. For example, the monitoring device 201 could provide data on theposition/orientation of the golf club shaft or golf club head when thegolfer has positioned the golf club at the address position.

As discussed above, according to aspects of the disclosure, datacollected from the above described system and metrics determined by theabove described system may be uploaded to a network. However,alternatively, instead of uploading such data to a network, the remotecomputer 400 itself may be configured to compare the data and metricswith a predefined set of characteristics in order to provide coaching ordrills which will aid the golfer in improving various aspects of theirgames. For example, the remote computer 400 (e.g., as configured by asoftware application) may include a databases which stores data oncharacteristics of a swing or stroke and, also, stores tables whichcorrelate various characteristics with various coaching videos, drills,etc. Therefore, the remote computer 400 may provide the golfer withvarious “on board” coaching videos, drills, etc. It is noted that whilethe above described embodiments relate to golf swings, as describedabove, monitoring devices and system may be used with other sportsequipment as well. Therefore, aspects of the disclosure are directed toproviding similar recommendations in other sports based on the receiveddata from the respective pieces of sports equipment. For example, thesystem may be configured to provide recommendations on: a particulartype of tennis racquet based on the speed of a serve or stroke, aparticular type of baseball bat based on swing speed, etc. While theabove described examples, discusses swing or stroke speed, it isunderstood that various other characteristics and products may also beused. Further, the system could provide recommendations on strategies tocorrect the athlete's swing or stroke directly in a manner similar to asdescribed above.

III. Conclusion

The present disclosure is described above and in the accompanyingdrawings with reference to a variety of example structures, features,elements, and combinations of structures, features, and elements. Thepurpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide examples of thevarious features and concepts related to the disclosure, not to limitthe scope of the disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art willrecognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to theembodiments described above without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure, as defined by the appended claims. For example, thevarious features and concepts described above in conjunction with FIGS.1 through 27B may be used individually and/or in any combination orsubcombination without departing from this disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A piece of sports equipment comprising: anelectronic monitoring device, comprising at least one of a gyroscope ormagnetometer, wherein the monitoring device is configured to detectmotion of the piece of sports equipment; and a receiving section,comprising at least one protrusion disposed in a predefined arrangement,wherein the receiving section is configured to receive the electronicmonitoring device; wherein the at least one protrusion disposed in thepredefined arrangement is configured to identify a type of sportsequipment, and wherein different arrangements of protrusions specifydifferent types of sporting apparatuses.
 2. The piece of sportsequipment of claim 1, wherein the receiving section is detachable from aremainder of the piece of sports equipment.
 3. The piece of sportsequipment of claim 1, wherein at least one of a number of protrusionsand an arrangement of protrusions is configured to specifycharacteristics to be monitored by the electronic monitoring device. 4.The piece of sports equipment of claim 3, wherein the receiving portionincludes a first protrusion and a second protrusion, wherein a positionof the first protrusion is configured to activate monitoring of a firstcharacteristic and a position of the second protrusion is configured toactivate monitoring of a second characteristic.
 5. The piece of sportsequipment of claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion comprises anelectrical connection element configured to interface with an electricalconnection element of the electronic monitoring device.
 6. The piece ofsports equipment of claim 1, further comprising a shaft portion andwherein the receiving section is disposed within the shaft portion. 7.The piece of sports equipment of claim 1, wherein the receiving sectionincludes a plurality of protrusions and the predefined arrangement ofthe plurality of protrusions only allows engagement of the electronicmonitoring device in a single orientation.
 8. The piece of sportsequipment of claim 1, wherein the at least one protrusion furtherspecifies one or more sensors to use for detecting the motion of thepiece of sports equipment.
 9. The piece of sports equipment of claim 8,wherein the receiving portion comprises a first protrusion and a secondprotrusion, wherein a position of the first protrusion specifies use ofa first sensor for detecting the motion of the piece of sports equipmentand a position of the second protrusion specifies use of a second sensorfor detecting the motion of the piece of sports equipment.
 10. The pieceof sports equipment of claim 9, wherein the monitoring device comprisesa third sensor and wherein the predefined arrangement of the first andsecond protrusions on the receiving portion does not specify use of thethird sensor.
 11. The piece of sports equipment of claim 8, whereinspecifying the one or more sensors to use includes activating the one ormore sensors.
 12. The piece of sports equipment of claim 1, wherein theat least one protrusion is spring loaded.
 13. The piece of sportsequipment of claim 1, wherein the piece of sports equipment is a golfclub and wherein the receiving portion is disposed at an end of a shaftof the golf club, opposite a golf club head.
 14. The piece of sportsequipment of claim 13, wherein the shaft of the golf club includes arecess configured to receive insertion of the receiving portion.
 15. Thepiece of sports equipment of claim 1, further comprising the electronicmonitoring device, wherein the electronic monitoring device includes afirst sensor and a second sensor, the first and second sensors beingindividually selectable.
 16. The piece of sports equipment of claim 15,wherein the first sensor is configured to detect motion with a firstsensitivity and the second sensor is configured to detect motion with asecond sensitivity.
 17. The piece of sports equipment of claim 1,wherein the predefined arrangement is configured to engage with theelectronic monitoring device in a first orientation and a secondorientation, wherein the piece of sports equipment is configured to:determine that the piece of sports equipment is a left-handed piece ofsports equipment when the electronic monitoring device is engaged in thefirst orientation; and determine that the piece of sports equipment is aright-handed piece of sports equipment when the electronic monitoringdevice is engaged in the second orientation.
 18. A golf club configuredto determine aspects related to a golf swing, comprising: a golf clubhead; a shaft; and a monitoring device configured to be engaged with thegolf club, comprising at least one of a gyroscope or magnetometer,wherein the monitoring device is configured to determine orientation ofthe monitoring device based on data received from the at least one ofthe gyroscope or the magnetometer, wherein the monitoring device isfurther configured to: determine that the golf club is a left-handedgolf club when the monitoring device receives data from the at least oneof the gyroscope or the magnetometer that the monitoring device ispositioned in a first orientation, and determine that the golf club is aright-handed golf club when the monitoring device receives data from theat least one of the gyroscope or the magnetometer that the monitoringdevice is positioned in a second orientation.
 19. The golf club of claim18, wherein the monitoring device includes a first sensor and a secondsensor, the first sensor including the at least one of the gyroscope orthe magnetometer, wherein the first sensor is configured to detectmotion with a first sensitivity, and wherein the second sensor isconfigured to detect motion with a second sensitivity.
 20. The golf clubof claim 19, wherein the first sensor is configured to detect at leastone of: angular velocity of the golf club during a golf swing, oracceleration of the golf club during a golf swing.
 21. The golf club ofclaim 18, wherein the monitoring device is configured to: manipulate thereceived data in a first manner if the golf club is left-handed, andmanipulate the received data in a second manner if the golf club isright-handed.
 22. The golf club of claim 21, wherein manipulating thereceived data in the first manner includes applying a firsttransformation matrix to the received data, and wherein manipulating thereceived data in the second manner includes applying a secondtransformation matrix to the received data.
 23. The golf club of claim18, further comprising a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) deviceconfigured to provide information specifying whether the golf club isleft-handed or right-handed.
 24. The golf club of claim 23, wherein themonitoring device is configured to communicate with the RFID device toreceive the information specifying whether the golf club is left-handedor right-handed.
 25. The golf club of claim 24, wherein the monitoringdevice is configured to communicate with the RFID device through awireless connection.
 26. The golf club of claim 18, wherein themonitoring device is configured to be received in a removable capportion of the golf club, and wherein the removable cap portion, withthe monitoring device engaged therewith, is configured to be engagedwith an end of the shaft opposite the golf club head.
 27. The golf clubof claim 26, wherein an end of the removable cap portion covers the endof the shaft opposite the golf club head.
 28. A golf club configured todetermine aspects related to a golf swing, comprising: a golf club head;a shaft comprising a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinalend, wherein the golf club head extends from the first longitudinal endand wherein the second longitudinal end includes a recess; a monitoringdevice configured to be engaged with the golf club, comprising at leastone component configured to measure at least one characteristic of agolf swing; and a receiving portion configured to receive engagement ofthe monitoring device, wherein the receiving portion includes a capconfigured to cover the second longitudinal end of the shaft wheninserted into the recess.
 29. The golf club of claim 28, wherein the atleast one component includes a first sensor and a second sensor, whereinthe first sensor is configured to measure the at least onecharacteristic with a first sensitivity and the second sensor isconfigured to measure the at least one characteristic with a secondsensitivity.
 30. The golf club of claim 28, wherein the receivingportion includes at least one protrusion and the monitoring deviceincludes at least one opening configured to receive the at least oneprotrusion of the receiving portion.
 31. The golf club of claim 30,wherein the receiving portion includes a plurality of protrusions andthe monitoring device includes a plurality of openings, wherein anarrangement of the plurality of protrusions specifies a type of sportingapparatus corresponding to the golf club.
 32. The golf club of claim 28,wherein the recess is configured as an elongated slot.
 33. The golf clubof claim 28, wherein the second longitudinal end includes another recessphysically distinct from the recess, wherein the other recess isconfigured to receive a fastener of the receiving portion.
 34. The golfclub of claim 33, wherein the receiving portion includes the fastenerand a clip member configured to receive the monitoring device, andwherein the recess is configured to receive the clip member while theother recess receives the fastener.
 35. The golf club of claim 34,wherein the fastener and the clip member extend from the cap in a samedirection.
 36. The golf club of claim 34, wherein the clip memberincludes a resilient finger extending therefrom, wherein the resilientfinger is configured to engage with at least a portion of the monitoringdevice.